The National Soup Kitchen, which provides free hot mails daily to the less
fortunate of society, will return to full operation on Saturday following a break-in
this week that disrupted its operations.
Operated by a group headed by Inspector Veldon Raggette, the soup Kitchen was
broken into on Tuesday evening during which thieves made off with food items,
seasoning and ten of the pans from which the food is served.
According to Raggette, some limited food service continued on Wednesday, but
the operations closed for Thursday and will close today (Friday) as well. However,
when the news of the break-in was made public, there was a spontaneous response
from members of the public to assist.
“The Social Protection Unit in the Ministry of Social Transformation as well as
BWA Yachting of English Harbour came to the rescue of the Soup Kitchen by
donating a significant amount of food items to allow for the resumption of the food
service operation. Additionally, Dr Jumaane Francis of Family Dentistry made a
$500.00 donation to help replace the pans,” Raggette reported.
He said the response crystalised in his mind the significance of the operation of the
Soup Kitchen and the value many in society gives to its operation.
“It is most heart-warming to see the generosity of members of the public to our
unfortunate situation. It let me know that there are many individuals who
appreciate what we are doing for those who are in need of a daily hot meal,” he
exclaimed.
The National Soup Kitchen has been in operation since 2018 and it serves daily
meals to an average of seventy persons seven days a week. It does so through the
generous donations from members of the public. For example, the pans that were
stolen were donated by Works Minister, Maria Vanessa Browne.
He also reported that has been the first such incidence since operations began six
years ago.
