THE founder of the Queen’s Soup Kitchen, a community-based feeding scheme, Elsie Schoeman, has expressed her heartbreak following a burglary of their container last Tuesday.

The kitchen, operates from Queensburgh Rugby Club on Parkside Avenue, every Wednesday and Sunday and feeds more than 450 people.

Schoeman, along with a team of volunteers, also helps with food parcels for those in need, including the homeless, elderly and disabled.

Queen’s Soup Kitchen founder Elsie Schoeman is heartbroken after several items including, pots, utensils and food were stolen from their shipping container in Queensburgh. She helps feed more than 400 people twice a week. pic.twitter.com/LtwNk9ahAz

— QueensburghNews (@QueensburghChat) February 4, 2025

“They took everything, they took our burner, gas, our pots, both big and small, utensils; they even stole some of our buckets of water. They also took our folding tables we use for serving. All we were left with were polystyrene containers. They were disturbed by someone because they left a few labeled buckets outside the container as they fled the scene in their vehicle.

“We are heartbroken, disappointed, as for the past five years this kitchen has been about community upliftment. I knew in my heart the people that broke in weren’t people. We recovered three serving bowls from a lady selling food in Malvern who was sold the stuff. We also discovered that the rest of the items were sold in Pinetown. I don’t want to close the kitchen down and we are appealing to residents who can help to come forward. Turning people away last week was heartbreaking,” she said.

Since the break-in, Schoeman has added additional locks and security measures.

If you would like to assist Queen’s Soup Kitchen, contact Elsie Schoeman on 060 751 9699 or email her at queenssoupkitchen@gmail.com.

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