THORNHILL – With the need for food soaring, Thornhill’s You Nice Soup Kitchen continues to inspire, with founder Eunice Boesman revealing ambitious plans to transform her weekly community service into a daily lifeline for those in need.
Since establishing her home-based non-profit organisation, Boesman has witnessed remarkable growth in both demand and impact.
What began as a mission to feed over 100 people weekly has now expanded to serve approximately 200 community members every Wednesday, highlighting the increasing need within the area.
“I believe it is my calling to uplift others, especially those facing hunger and hardship. Having grown up in poverty myself, I deeply sympathise with those who struggle daily, and I feel a personal responsibility to help wherever I can,” said Boesman.
She said that the soup kitchen continues to operate with the dedicated support of volunteers Lungelwa Gidi and Ntombekhaya Sam, who help prepare and serve meals with love and care.
Their efforts, combined with contributions from the Kouga Municipality and local partners, have sustained the initiative despite rising food costs and economic pressures.
However, Boesman’s vision extends far beyond the current weekly service.
She said that her dream is to provide daily meals and expand operations to neighbouring communities, including Loerie, Hankey and the farms around Thornhill.
“Each Wednesday, our soup kitchen feeds around 200 people. We feed children who face food insecurity at home and elderly individuals who rely on this meal as their main source of nourishment. However, the need is growing,” she noted.
“My dream is to serve meals every day, not just once a week, and to expand our reach to neighbouring communities.”
To realise this ambitious vision, You Nice Soup Kitchen is actively seeking increased support from the community, requiring donations of food, kitchen equipment, and other resources to sustain daily operations and facilitate the planned expansion.
As previously reported, You Nice Soup Kitchen’s impact extends beyond nutrition, with Boesman believing that feeding the underprivileged helps prevent crime by addressing root causes of desperation and fostering community stability.
Her home remains a constant beacon of hope, with doors always open to provide meals to anyone in need, even outside the scheduled Wednesday service.
“Support from others could help us bring hope and nourishment to even more lives,” said Boesman.
For more information or to contribute towards You Nice Soup Kitchen, contact Eunice Boesman at 073 143 9324.
