Geluksdal – Destitute community members will not go to bed hungry thanks to an initiative by senior citizens from Extension Two. The elderly good Samaritans have started Thandolwethu Soup Kitchen, which will operate as an NPO from September 1. The kitchen will provide food on a daily basis to local residents in need.

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Founder of the organisation Thandi Lechokoene (65) explained the space from where the kitchen will be run has been vacant for over 10 years and was being used as a hide-out for drug addicts. “They were sleeping here and the place was slowly becoming a hot spot for rape. “That’s when I decided to rather use the space for something positive and uplifting,” she said. The soup kitchen will operate Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. She added that since the beginning of lockdown no one from their community has received any food parcels. “Innumerable households here are headed by children. “Some go for days without food; the soup kitchen will come in handy as it will address some of these issues. “We have been waiting for food parcels without any success,” she said.

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Donations and contributions are welcome from the community. Assistant Maria Lakey (63) is looking forward to serving the community with pride. “Being a pensioner and sitting at home doing nothing can be frustrating, so I loved the idea when Thandi first told me,” she said. Those who would like to assist or volunteer can contact the organisation on 073 573 2795 or 067 206 0562.

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