Dolphin Coast Outreach provides the most basic need to the North Coast

When Covid-19 reached South Africa just over a year ago, many communities on the North Coast were already struggling to survive.

The virus only worsened the situation as many non-contracted workers lost their jobs and often had long waits for government grants.

In order to combat this, many charity organisations began community feeding schemes in a number of townships and rural areas on the North Coast.

The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund and Karen Doveton of Brettenwood combined to create the Soup-a-Heroes initiative which donated almost 24 000 litres of homemade soup during lockdown.

A total of almost R1.2 million worth of soup and other items were donated to well-established organisations for distribution.

Following the remarkable success of Soup-a-Heroes, the Dolphin Coast Outreach (DCO) – which is a division of the Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (DOCRRA) – began in September 2020.

The DCO collects soup and other items that are in short supply for distribution to a number of organisations including His Way Outreach NPO, Vision 153 NPO and church groups.

Twelve needy communities are reached and from September to December, 10 000 portions of soup were distributed.

“We have seen a huge amount of support for the DCO. People are donating from Durban North, Umhlanga and all across the North Coast. It has been a wonderful community effort,” said volunteer Megan Viljoen.

Jaqui Muir of His Way Outreach is one of the distributors and takes donations to Shayamoya and Shaka’s Head where she runs community feeding schemes.

Birgit Leone and Sally Freedman started the soup kitchen in Shaka’s Head during lockdown and Muir has continued its operation with their ongoing support.

Lindi Masondo hosts a daily community kitchen at her home in Shayamoya where His Way Outreach supplies ingredients for the meals.

“These people are facing daily struggles to get food. People think the grants are enough, but when you have no other income and still have to pay rent it often forces people to go hungry,” she said.

The DCO and His Way Outreach are both collecting:

• Frozen homemade soup (please freeze in plastic containers).
• Bread and bread rolls or any other starch.
• Baby foods such as powdered formula and porridge.
• Soap and personal toiletries.
• Dry goods such as 2kg bags of rice or maize meal, tins of baked beans or pilchards.
• Gently used children’s clothing and any item that can be repurposed. From linen to toys.
• Used, clean, plastic tubs from ice cream, yoghurt, and other foods to be used to freeze soup.

To donate to the DCO, you can drop off items in Umhlali or at the Brettenwood main gate. WhatsApp Deon Viljoen at 082 558 8788 or Megan Viljoen at 082 458 8811 for details.

To donate directly to His Way Outreach, contact Jaqui Muir at 083 534 7047.