Local scholar transport owner feeds the hungry

Team members of a local scholar transport company, Have a Safe Trip, recently provided hearty home-cooked meals to 45 families in the community of Zandspruit.

Chet Goldsman, the owner of the company said, “It all started about two weeks ago when an intense cold front moved through. I wanted to do something nice for my staff by cooking them a hearty stew. To achieve this, I borrowed a huge industrial pot from one of my friends, and when I started cooking, I realised how big the pot was, and the idea came to me to expand this gesture to include more people who might not have the blessings I have.

“He said it was supposed to be once off, but after spending the afternoon with his office manager cooking, and seeing the appreciation on the recipients faces when they received their meals, he started thinking about doing this on a regular basis.

“I am in the process of getting registered as a non-profit organisation (NPO) to honour the memory of my wife whom I lost two-and-a-half years ago. I want to keep her name alive and create a legacy through this organisation, and give her two boys the opportunity to know just how loving and caring she was,” said Chet.Chet teamed up with community leaders in Zandspruit to help identify the families who would qualify for these meals, and together with a team from the scholar transport company they visited the community to bless them with a hot meal. “Thanks to the awesome support from our families using the transport, we were able to pull this off. I am so grateful for that,” he said.

He added that he would love to expand this project to do these types of outreaches on a daily basis. “At the moment I am looking to do another charity drive in about two weeks’ time. I want to grow this project to start doing this on a weekly or even twice-weekly basis, for now.

“Chet said that he has sent a message to all the parents of the children using scholar transport to donate only one or two non-perishable food items, even if it is a tin of food, a packet of pasta or rice. “Anything will do. Even if we can only make up a small food parcel to donate for now, it will also make a difference for now. I am planning to approach the schools in our areas to ask permission if we could ask their parents for assistance, and see if we can expand and help bless others.”

He concluded by saying, “The reason why I am doing this is simple – I want to pass blessings on to other people. Yes, I have had a difficult year so far, but rather than choosing to concentrate on my struggles and difficulties, I choose to count my blessings and share them by giving back and helping people without focusing on recognition.

The only reason I am looking to the newspaper is to try and create awareness for this project to grow and prosper, and for me to be able to help those in need.

“For more information on how to get involved, contact Chet on 082 212 1011.