The Helpers Feeding Scheme was started 17 years ago by the late Hashim Baboo, Farooq Sandan and Shaheen Laher. Since then, it has grown into a regular Ramadaan feature in Port Elizabeth.
The Helpers Feeding Scheme operates out of a kitchen in the Muslim Movement Hall. Food is cooked by 8 full-time workers and volunteers from 9.30am till 5.00pm. It is then delivered by 8 bakkies to various points in PE from where it is distributed to needy Muslims. The Old Age Homes are also catered for.
These are some of the stats (2006):
- 3,500-4,000 people fed daily
- Daily running costs are R5,000
- 120-140kg meat or chicken cooked daily everyday of Ramadaan
- 25 bags of potatoes cooked daily
- 5 bags of onions used daily
- 80kg rice cooked daily
Areas covered are, among others, New Brighton, Motherwell, Kwazakhele, Schauderville, Malabar Vlak, Korsten Madresa, Timothy Valley, Booysen’s Park, Jacksonville, Arcadia, Salt Lake, Masjid Noor in Bloemendaal, Helenvale, Springdale and Missionvale.
The Eid day operation expands to include Muslim inmates at the prisons and feeding from the Darul Uloom as well.
For more info or to help out:
Shaheen Laher 072 515 8155 / 453 3225
Idris Sirkhote 083 521 6951
Fareed Ahmed 083 7755 400
