Thanks to the youth Olympiakos Football Club in Noupoort, who started a community soup kitchen during the COVID-19 pandemic, 140 vulnerable community members, including 72 children, are receiving daily cooked meals, in an effort to support those most impacted by the pandemic.
The project is being funded by Noupoort Wind Farm’s socio economic development programme and is being implemented in collaboration with the two local clinics in the area.This local football club is wellknown in the District and recognised for their talented players, but it is this community outreach that has received the attention of SAFA, who recognises the value of sport amongst the youth in the rural town of Noupoort.“While the teams could not play during COVID, the club found a way of supporting the community, which we highly commend.
Emlyn and his team are not only dedicated to the sport, they are dedicated to improving the community and making a difference,” said Mr Bantu, President of SAFA in the Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality.
The beneficiaries of the feeding projects were assigned by the Nonqo Simon Zono Clinic in
Kwazamuxolo and Eurekaville Clinic, to ensure that the most vulnerable receive help during this
incredibly tough period.
Community members currently infected with COVID-19, TB sufferers, child-headed households, and
clinic patients with severe and chronic conditions are provided with daily meals for a two–week
period, during October.
“On the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on the livelihood of the
most vulnerable, we applied to Noupoort Wind Farm for funding,” explained Emlyn Lukas, owner
and founder of Olympiakos Football Club.
The majority of the beneficiaries collect their meals at the clinics each day, however, COVID-19
patients that are quarantining or those that are too ill to leave their homes, are having their meals
delivered to their residence.
“This food programme has enabled us to play our part as a local club, and more importantly, as the
Youth of Noupoort, in making a lasting contribution in the fight against COVID–19, by providing food
to the most vulnerable even if it is just for 14 days,” concluded Lukas.
