Students from Vale Verde International School in Lagos recently visited the Soup Kitchens in Lagos and Portimão to make their contributions in supporting those who are struggling to ensure that they have a plate of food for the day.
As part of the school’s Harvest Festival – an ancient tradition to celebrate healthy crops – parents, staff and students donated foodstuffs and soft drinks over a two-week period for the benefit of local soup kitchens.
Dozens of tinned and packaged food items, cartons of milk and bottled drinks were amongst the two loads delivered by the students to the kitchens in Lagos and Portimão. Around 40 adult volunteers now support these charities in preparing and serving hot meals, and financially.
Vale Verde International School now plans to maintain its links with these charities by using some of its Food Technology lessons to make soups from scratch, which will also be delivered to the needy. Both soup kitchens can receive up to 70 visitors in any one sitting.
According to Portimão Soup Kitchen Coordinator, Joy Borgan, around half of the visitors are homeless. Several young families also turn up for hot soup and sandwiches.
Operating since April 2010, and supported by the International Christian Fellowship, the kitchen is reliant upon local and foreign charitable donations. It opens its doors on Sunday at 2pm, Monday at 4pm, and Wednesday at 6pm.
Lagos Soup Kitchen Coordinator David Chester began supporting homeless and struggling people six years ago, feeding individuals directly on the streets. A member of the International Community Church, David has seen a sharp increase in the number of visitors to the kitchen since it opened about two years ago.
Both soup kitchens also offer clothing to guests and, in addition to donations of foodstuffs, are keen to receive unwanted clothing and shoes in good condition.
917 358 098 | joy@borgan.info
963 440 470 | david.chester@netvisao.pt
