Jeannie Edwards (pictured, left) started Jeannie’s Soup Kitchen 13 years ago in Malabar Extension 6. This is a poor area in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, one of the poorest regions in South Africa. Jeannie provides food, love and care for more than 300 little children. She plays the role of mother, provider, caregiver and role model in this impoverished community.
We spoke to Duane Brassell, Branch Manager: FoodBank Port Elizabeth and to Debbie Papamichael, a volunteer at Jeannie’s Soup Kitchen.
Although Jeannie has been running her soup kitchen for more than 13 years, it was only two years ago that she approached FoodBank SA (FoodBank) for assistance. She explained the problems that existed in Malabar Extension 6, and asked for help. Jeannie’s Soup Kitchen underwent our formal Agency assessment process and was approved as a supported Agency in November 2009.
FoodBank now provides approximately 70% of Jeannie’s Soup Kitchen's food. Each month, Jeannie and Debbie collect a food parcel from FoodBank. The food parcel is worth approximately R4,500 to R5,000 and comprises nutritional ingredients such as lentils, maize, samp, rice, sugar, pilchards and soy. We also provide Jeannie with additional fresh fruit or yoghurt when we can.
With FoodBank’s assistance, Jeannie’s Soup Kitchen provides cooked meals for up to 400 children on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The lentils, soy and other dry ingredients provided by FoodBank form the basis of these meals. Thursday night is a big night for cooking, because on Friday, Jeannie’s Soup Kitchen tries to provide a hearty, healthy meal – possibly a stew with rice, and maybe a fruit.
Jeannie’s Soup Kitchen’s other food requirements come from other sponsors and donations, but even with these donations, there is not enough to give the children more than three meals a week. ‘Anything in between these three meals is a bonus,’ says volunteer Debbie.
Debbie believes that the relationship between FoodBank and Jeannie’s Soup Kitchen can strengthen and grow in future. FoodBank is not yet very well known in the Eastern Cape. However, the current Hampers for Hunger campaign being promoted jointly with Pick n Pay and the Sunday Times group will help this (in this campaign, publicised by the Sunday Times group, Pick n Pay is encouraging shoppers to donate the points from their loyalty cards to FoodBank. We also will receive the money donated to the money boxes at all Pick ‘n Pay tills during November and December.)
‘More people in the PE area will become aware of FoodBank. As FoodBank grows, the relationships that you have with Agencies in the area can also grow’ says Debbie.
We look forward to it so that we can provide increasing help to good people like Jeannie and Debbie!
STOP PRESS:
FoodBank's Duane Brassell writes:
"These two ladies, Debbie Papamichael and Jeannie Edwards from Jeannie's Soup Kitchen (pictured), made sure that over 400 children had a Christmas they will never forget.The kids had a sit down meal with meats, potatoes, 3 veggies and rice. Dessert was custard and jelly with a cherry on the top! They each received a gift wrapped worth over R50 apiece. There was a DJ, face painting, 2 jumping castles -- and a lot of fun! For most of these children it was their first Christmas ever as they don't know what it is about due to their circumstances. I feel honoured and blessed to have been part of the organising committee."
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