‘Soupaheroes’ feed thousands left starving in lockdown

In their bid to ensure that no child goes hungry during lockdown, the North Coast’s ‘Soupaheroes’ have prepared and distributed more than 15 000 litres of soup to disadvantaged communities over the past 9 weeks.

Soup, dry foods, baby formula and a wide range of basic necessities being donated daily by the North Coast community for distribution by charitable organisations have made a “massive difference” to thousands of hungry people.

“Our outreach efforts would have come to nought without this incredible team of people in our community pulling together,” said Rose Stephenson and Jane Armstrong of The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund.

Although lockdown restrictions were easing and people were returning to work, the need for cooked nutritious soups, dry foods and baby formula remained critical.

“Our number of partners, non-governmental organisations and support groups we support has grown over the past 9 weeks, especially as we see no government support of feeding schemes in our area.”

The programme also caters for street beggars who are directed to two centres where they can obtain food, at iThemba Labasha in Shaka’s Head and the Nkobongo Resource Centre in Nkobongo near Shakaskraal.

Items for which there is greatest need are:

• Nutritious homemade soups: These are delivered frozen to All Souls Anglican Church, Salt Rock, weekdays at 1pm and stored in freezers. Soups are sent out within a day of being received to NGO partners and are used especially in areas where cooking facilities are limited. Children and the elderly are the target groups.

• Dry foods: Maize, dry beans and samp are basic staples, packaged for families to supplement soup deliveries.

• Baby formula: Formula is delivered personally by the Fund’s Jane Armstrong to mothers with babies in need.

• Soaps and ladies’ sanitary items: Without money for food, these items are not affordable and are needed, especially for hand washing.

• Cash donations: Donations may be made by EFT or Zapper to the Orphan Fund. The Fund is audited, registered as a non-profit organisation and has also been approved by the Receiver of

Revenue for tax exemption. This means that donors can receive a tax deduction on donations made.

The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund bank details: ABSA branch: 630229, Acct No: 9109572488.

Check out the Fund’s website for more information on our partners and distribution network. www.northcoastcourierorphanfund.co.za.

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