EVERY Saturday morning, four local churches take turns to serve a hot meal to the destitute in the parking lot of the Toti CBD, opposite the old KFC.
Toti Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) sees volunteers from Life Church, Lionsgate, Word is Truth and Star of the Sea Catholic Church serve hot food to the hungry and homeless weekly.
On Saturday, 20 June, a large group gathered in the cold by 7.30am and tucked into chicken and vegetable stew, bread and cocoa prepared and hosted by volunteers from Word is Truth.
“We started as a small group with Life Church two years ago. As a church, every Friday after a prayer session, we shared food. The left overs were given to the homeless on the streets. This is how it all came together,” said Gary Nichols.
Initially, the soup kitchen was held once a month, it quickly grew to twice, then three times a month and now it’s held every week. Having started with two large pots, now eight pots are prepared to cater for a growing crowd.
“We are here every Saturday from 7am to 9am. The food we hand out is not only for the homeless, but anyone who is hungry. We serve about 150 bowls each morning,” said Gary.
The menu depends on what is available at the time. On occasion, boerewors rolls have been served.
“We are busy in winter, as many people are on the streets here from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Bloemfontein, as it is much warmer.”
TASK is not only feeding the hungry, but also attempts to reunite youth on the streets with their families. “Besides helping families reunite, we also help them with prayer and ministry.”
The organisation does not have a big sponsor, but relies on the ‘grace of God’. “We rely on the goodness of parishioners, people with hearts to serve. It is part of being Christian, helping people in need.”
On occasion, a doctor is available to see to the medical needs of those benefiting from the soup kitchen.
Once a year, it hosts a sit-down Christmas lunch for about 80 people, where it is turned into a special occasion with gifts handed out. Help is needed with donations of old clothes in good condition and toiletries.
“We want to become mobile, be able to go into other areas where there is a need, but it all depends on resources available.”
TASK aims to give dignity back to people. If anyone is able to assist with donations, contact Gary on 082-370-1881; Shanaaz Arendse on 079-376-2404 or Monica Visser on 084-510-9248.
