The community of Egoli in East London not only received food to fill their stomachs on Saturday, but were also revived emotionally and spiritually by Net ’n Bietjie Liefde Soup Kitchen.
Soup kitchen director Bernadine Norton, 53, decided to spend her birthday giving back to her community by catering for 2,100 people.
Feeding the people only is not of use. You need to feed the mind, body and soul
“Feeding the people only is not of use. You need to feed the mind, body and soul,” she said.
Norton invited community structures and businesses such as the Griqua Royal Council, Friends of Schalk and the CC Lloyd Feeding Scheme to participate.
CC Lloyd fundraising overseer David Ruiters said what drew them to support Norton was her compassion and tender heart.
“In the time she’s been doing this, she has been like a palm tree that has bent over backwards and forward to help the community. She gives freely,” Ruiters said.
Community members came out in their numbers, including children, with Covid-19 health regulations strictly observed.
“Seeing the poverty in my community is what inspired me to do this,” Norton said.
Seeing all the children in the streets, that are so full of alcohol and drug abuse, I felt I had to do something
“Seeing all the children in the streets, that are so full of alcohol and drug abuse, I felt I had to do something.”
Griqua Royal Council paramount chief Joseph Kreeling said they wanted to support Norton for her selfless efforts within the community.
“The whole executive committee is here to impart the seriousness to empower the youth, the marginalised and unemployed. We will leave no stone unturned,” Kreeling said.
Community member Ronelle Groep said: “Every little bit counts and I don’t want to see people suffer. I know their plight as I grew up in this community and it’s important to give back.”
The community members had church apostles to feed their spirit, and also business people to encourage them to do something for themselves.
Schalk van der Sandt, from Friends of Schalk, said anything was possible with a positive attitude.
I want to motivate people to be self-sustainable and have a vision. All this is possible with a can-do attitude and being a person of action
“Our communities are deteriorating. I want to motivate people to be self-sustainable and have a vision. All this is possible with a can-do attitude and being a person of action,” Van der Sandt said.
Norton, who has lived in Egoli for the past 22 years, runs her soup kitchen two to three days a week.
Primarily running operations from her home, she manages to feed 200 to 300 people on selected days.
Norton said the soup kitchen had become her number one passion.
“I really enjoy it and it’s definitely my passion. You can’t do it without passion.
“Helping others is second nature to me, and I thank God for giving me the strength to do it.”
“You can’t just sit back, you have to do something,” she said.
DispatchLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.