community upliftment

JOIN US!

“Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and feed him for a lifetime.”

A known dilemma of charity organisations is that handouts solve short-term problems but perpetuate longer term ones. To truly help the homeless and needy our goal should be to empower these people to help themselves.

So while the Obs Pasta Kitchen solves the short-term problem of hungry bellies, we have a higher purpose and long-term plan.

The Obs Pasta Kitchen is not just about handouts. This is more than a plate of food but an introduction to a long-lasting relationship.

Soup kitchens are known the world over for offering a warm plate of food to the hungry.
Observatory has always been a little left-of-centre and so we evolved the concept to create the Obs Pasta Kitchen.

Every Wednesday evening we offer a hot bowl of pasta to the many needy residents (often homeless) and passers-through in Observatory. But more than providing a meal it’s about creating connections with the people on the streets and developing a long-term strategy to help elevate their lives.

Not just a “soup kitchen”

“Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and feed him for a lifetime.”

A known dilemma of charity organisations is that handouts solve short-term problems but perpetuate longer term ones. To truly help the homeless and needy our goal should be to empower these people to help themselves.

So while the Obs Pasta Kitchen solves the short-term problem of hungry bellies, we have a higher purpose and long-term plan.

The Obs Pasta Kitchen is not just about handouts. This is more than a plate of food but an introduction to a long-lasting relationship.

Our volunteers will not only be handing out food but engaging with our guests. We are offering emotional support and an ear to listen with the aim of discovering how we can help these people more.

We would like to make ourselves available to change these people’s lives, to ultimately help them get off the street. It’s the opportunity for them to introduce themselves and share a load. It’s about acknowledging the co-existence of each other in this community. It’s about giving those often ignored the time of day and the dignity we all deserve.

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.

The Obs Pasta Kitchen offers a plate of food with a side-helping of hope for a better future.

OUR PROGRAMS

WOW Sessions – Working on Wellness  – Previously Working Wednesday

Every Wednesday from 9:30am-11am we meet at number 9 Shelley street hall for a free Human Values and Life skills workshop open to all guests who attend our Obs Pasta Kitchen or are living in Observatory.

Using tools of yoga and meditation we aim to empower the individual to create inner peace leading to peace in our community. We invite all residents of Observatory to join us.

WOW Sessions are also taking place in partnership with Streetscapes in Vredehoek gardens every Monday and in Kuilsriver on a Wednesday.

Breath, water and Sound course

We offer this course to committed attendees of our WOW sessions twice per year.

What specific donations does the Obs Pasta Kitchen need?

Specifically we need Pasta – macaroni, tinned tomato – this can be dropped off at 205 Lower main road Observatory at Ferdinandos Pizza.

More specifically donations of money are helpful for supporting our community.

18A tax certificates are provided for donations of R1000 or more

How can local residents become involved or volunteer?

Volunteers are needed for creation and distribution of meals on a Wednesday please contact Dani Saporetti via WhatsApp to be added to the calendar – 076 1749353

Volunteers are needed for WOW sessions please contact Kimon on WhatsApp 084 7710485

Volunteers who can work from home doing an hour or two of admin per month are needed to assist us, from writing out updates, working on the social media team and fundraising teams please contact Kimon on WhatsApp 084 7710485 or email Obspastakichen@gmail.com

All residents are invited to join our weekly meals and WOW sessions to create a greater sense of belongingness and community in Observatory.

Obs Pasta Kitchen has been featured on Expresso

“Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and feed him for a lifetime.”