How many plates leave One Small Act of Kindness in a day?
Kelly-Ann van der Meer, the founder of One Small Act of Kindness, says that without the community, they would not be able to do what they do.
At a time when food security is a pressing concern, One Small Act of Kindness in Bordeaux works tirelessly to ensure that no one goes to bed hungry.
From the crack of dawn to the setting of the sun, the volunteers at One Small Act of Kindness are on a mission to feed as many mouths as possible. A typical day sees the distribution of a range of meals and food parcels:
- 100 plates of porridge daily for the homeless, served seven days a week.
- 80 to 110 sandwiches every afternoon, ensuring that those in need have something to sustain them.
- 87 children are provided with porridge from Monday to Friday, ensuring they start their day with a nutritious meal.
- 30 men in the shelter receive three meals a day, along with lunch and dinner on weekends.
- 87 children are served lunch five days a week, with an additional 21 children receiving dinner from the charity school.
- 10 to 12 children in the foster home receive dinner seven days a week, along with school lunch and snacks five days a week.
- 15 mouths are fed dinner in the foster home daily.
- 64 families receive food parcels each week to help ease their financial burdens
- 200 individuals are treated to a warm, cooked meal 52 times a year at the Thursday night feeding scheme, providing comfort and sustenance when needed most.
Kelly-Ann van der Meer, the founder of One Small Act of Kindness, shed light on the impact of their work. “We send out a minimum of 510 plates of food a day. People rely on these food parcels and plates of food, especially some of the guys looking for work. If they don’t get work, they know to come to have full tummies.”
The impact of their feeding schemes extends far beyond just filling stomachs. “The feeding schemes also make families’ budgets stretch a little longer knowing that a plate of food, porridge, or sandwich can be given so that they can provide or not eat that night or day to make things last within the household.”
In a world where kindness often feels like a rare commodity, One Small Act of Kindness reminds us that compassion and generosity can truly change lives. As they continue their noble work, they invite the community to join them in their efforts, whether by donating food items or volunteering their time because, as Van der Meer highlighted ‘without you, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do’.
Anyone interested in donating food items or volunteering can contact Kelly-Ann van der Meer on 082 513 2042.
