Rida Rylands, a 22-year-old man from Manenberg feeds nearly 300 people a day from a soup kitchen that started in a Manenberg open field in memory of his late uncle.
According to Eminetra, before passing away from COVID-19 on New Year’s Eve last year, his uncle helped launch the initiative.
“We launched a non-profit organization under level 5 of the blockade. My uncle called for donation assistance to make soup pots for people. We first made 110 litres. [pot] We prepared the vegetable soup and distributed it to those who came to get it,” Rylands told News24.
Rylands was surprised at how many people came out to the field when they heard that there was free soup being handed out. “We quickly realized that the need was much greater than originally expected. The plan was put into action and the Sally Community Fund was born,” he said.
Thanks to the kind donations from local businesses, friends and family, they were able to make a hearty meal for people in need. With so many pots that needed to be used, many of the volunteers began to prepare the food at their homes.
“It’s no joke to make 110 litres of food every day. You need to chop onions, carrots, make bread and cook rice. That’s a lot! So provide volunteers with space for their own home. The time to support the NPO was absolutely wonderful”, Rylands added.
The organisation prepares three different types of soup and two types of bredies each week. “Most days I have soups, akni and breyani. On Fridays I like to spice up and serve people with noodle broth with a variety of hams”, Rylands explained to News24.
Most days, the organisation feeds up to 250 people every day, but when it comes to month end, it feeds up to 300 people and sometimes, more.
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