A thousand hungry people were fed in Mitchells Plain on Monday by a Lentegeur family who used their Mecca pilgrimage money to feed the poor.
The Biesmiellah Feeding Scheme was started by Fuad Noordien, 65, and his wife, who were supposed to go on Umrah, but can’t go because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fuad’s son Nabil Noordien, 30, took the feeding scheme over since the start of lockdown.
“We fed 700 people daily since lockdown started, we don’t want to do this for publicity, but to bring awareness to others who are fortunate enough to help others who are struggling,” Nabil says.
FOUNDER: Fuad Noordien
The family took to the streets and covered Lentegeur, Montrose Park, Eastridge, Tafelsig, New Woodlands and Heinz Park where they fed people from seven pots of spaghetti.
Charisse Madella, 52, was grateful for her bakkie kos.
“I’m really happy and grateful for what they are doing for the community, this food is feeding so many people and what a blessing this is for them also.”
Nabil says: “The day went very well, just as planned, and we are again reminded of how much people are in desperate need of food and that’s what keeps us motivated to keep on feeding these communities.”
Biesmiellah Feeding Scheme. Video: Venecia Valentine
Ahead of Eid ul Fitr on Monday 20 kids in the Lentegeur community also received clothes.
“We are doing this for the sake of God Almighty, I came to realise that many children will go hungry during the lockdown as hunger is a daily occurrence on the Cape Flats and due to school closure many children won’t have a meal for the day,” adds Nabil.