Community partnership fights hunger in Orlando East
The Izibusiso Community Foundation and the Shoprite Mobile Kitchen have launched a soup kitchen in Orlando East, offering warm meals and hope to underprivileged residents as part of their ongoing community support efforts.
The three members of Izibusiso Community Foundation continue their mission of restoring hope to underprivileged residents, this time by launching a soup kitchen in Orlando East in partnership with the Shoprite Mobile Kitchen team.
This new initiative follows the foundation’s ongoing vegetable donation drives, which have already made an impact in the area.
Residents, especially those who benefit from the vegetable donations, gather outside the home of the foundation’s chairperson, Mbali Masinga, to receive meals.
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“It’s heartwarming to see residents come by for soup and bread,” said Masinga.
“For many, it’s not just soup and bread but a hearty meal because they usually do not know where their next meal will come from.
“At our previous soup kitchen, we had two pots and half pots of soup, and it was all gone before everyone was served. That’s heartbreaking because we know how much they rely on it.”
She expressed gratitude to the woman who introduced her to the Shoprite Mobile Kitchen team, which helped turn the initiative into reality.
“We were collecting vegetables from the Johannesburg market when she encouraged me to approach the Shoprite team. Her referral helped make our dream come true, and we were able to feed those who needed it most.”
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The mobile kitchen visits Orlando East on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, with residents notified on the community WhatsApp group once the date is confirmed.
“It’s all about restoring hope and putting smiles on their faces,” Masinga said.
“We want them to know people will help them, no matter their circumstances. All they need is a cup to collect their warm, hearty meal, sometimes the only one they’ll have that day.”
She called on residents and businesses to support the cause, “We’re pleading with anyone who wants to make a difference to join us. Alone, we can only do so much, but together, we can change lives.”
