Help Auntie’s soup kitchen

Despite her own struggles, 54-year-old Sandra Barnes opened her home to the needy in Kampies Informal Settlement in Philippi, saying she’s better off than most in her community.

She started her House of Prayer soup kitchen eight months ago, collecting food and cooking meals for the community.

She says most people living in the 172 hokkies are unemployed and sometimes go to sleep on an empty maag for days.

“When I heard there were people who would go to sleep without food, I couldn’t help myself. I had absolutely nothing as I am struggling with my four grandkids as well but something needed to be done,” the generous auntie says.

“I just spoke about the idea and luckily our pastor came through and donated bread. He then sponsored me with cooking appliances and brought us some ingredients.

“We also have a few people who will drop off whatever they have and all those donations go a long way. We can at least feed a few people in our community.

“We normally run out of food and it is sad when you watch a hungry person walking away empty handed.

“We wish to do more but are only able to if we get more support from the public, especially with nutritious ingredients such as vegetables, samp, meat, salt and anything else. It would be nice to have enough to serve more often during the week.”

She runs the soup kitchen from her Wendy house, but cooks outside when the weather's nice. She is assisted by three local women.

For donations contact Sandra on 083 262 1765 or drop off donations at NM 1 Kampies in Philippi.

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