This year’s Mandela Day theme was #ActionAgainstPoverty. Inspired by the theme, Gnu World Media organised a collection of tinned tomatoes and pasta from fellow Black River Park tenants, for donating to The Obs Pasta Kitchen.
The Obs Pasta Kitchen prepares and serves a weekly meal – hot pasta and a delicious sauce – to those in need in Observatory.
Gnu World Media’s aim was to collect 67 tins of tomato and 67 packs of pasta. Thanks to the generosity of Redefine Properties, Ipsos, Cape Networks, Lima Bean, Qualichoice, LPH Chartered Accountants, LRMG, Capago and IBP South Africa – along with donations from Gnu World itself – the final tally was 81 tins of tomato and 92 packets of pasta. As well as feeding hungry bellies, the Obs Pasta Kitchen focuses on giving the homeless a sense of dignity and purpose, and an opportunity to improve their lives. Every Wednesday, homeless people in the area are given an opportunity to work for a day and have a wish granted. Those who participate can also earn vouchers for items such as clothing and food.
“We want to understand the issues at play, how we can help, what skills we can share, and how we can get these people off the street one phase at a time,” says Kimon Bisogno, founder of The Obs Pasta Kitchen and co-owner of restaurant, Ferdinando’s Pizza, on Lower Main Road.
Blankets for fire victims
On 26 June, a fire tore through an informal settlement in Salt River. 50 people were left without homes or belongings in the icy Cape Town winter. To assist, the Obs Pasta Kitchen organised a collection of blankets for victims of the fire.
Local businesses, including Gnu World Media, donated generous numbers of blankets, resulting in a surplus.
On Mandela Day, owner of Gnu World Media, Andrew Ziffo, helped distribute the extra blankets to needy residents and passers-by in Observatory.
You can help too
The Obs Pasta Kitchen is always happy for assistance. You can donate pasta or tinned tomatoes, dropping them off at Ferdinando’s Pizza after 3:00 pm, from Tuesday to Saturday.
On Wednesdays, you can help prepare and serve pasta, and engage with the guests who arrive for food.
You can also help with The Working Wednesday initiative. Volunteers are needed to supervise, help make lunch, capture participants’ wishes and raise funds. Volunteers can also help by giving informative talks or hosting workshops designed to help those in need develop their skills, improve their health and build better lives.
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