{"id":271432,"date":"2025-10-14T16:50:43","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T14:50:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/?p=271432"},"modified":"2025-10-16T12:35:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T10:35:18","slug":"cape-towns-service-dining-rooms-celebrates-90-years-of-feeding-the-hungry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/cape-towns-service-dining-rooms-celebrates-90-years-of-feeding-the-hungry\/","title":{"rendered":"Cape Town\u2019s Service Dining Rooms celebrates 90 Years of feeding the hungry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Established in 1935, and nearly 6 million meals later the Service Dining Rooms on Canterbury Street has remained a beacon of hope in Cape Town’s city centre.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday 11 October, the organisation marked its 90th anniversary with a celebratory lunch honouring nearly a century of service.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The milestone celebration followed World Homeless Day, observed on Friday 10 October, adding timely relevance to the occasion and highlighting the continued importance of organisations working to support the city’s most vulnerable.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Service Dining Rooms<\/a> was founded during the Great Depression, as a response to growing unemployment and hunger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founder Doris Syfret and two friends envisioned a place where people could purchase an affordable, nutritious meal rather than receive charity.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the organisation provides sit-down meals to over 200 people from Monday to Friday, charging just R2 per meal.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laurine Platzky, chair of the Service Dining Room’s board, said that with the high cost of living, the organisation remains a crucial safety net for those who cannot afford a daily meal.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It’s a dignified environment. People come into the facility and sit down, and they are served with dignity. We are grateful to our donors who continue to support this organisation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“They come in food form like I&J and SA Harvest they are incredibly generous with the proteins that we serve. We also get financial contributions and those who make donations to the maintenance of the building.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Platzky says they would not be able to continue their service without the dedication of their five employees.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“They cook and prepare the meals and do the cleaning up. We are always looking for people who will volunteer their time.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Service Dining Rooms will also be honoured with the Mayor’s Medal\u2014one of the highest civic accolades awarded by the City of Cape Town at a special council meeting next month.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, who attended the event, said the organisation serves as an inspiration.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“In a world where challenges often seem overwhelming your example shows that no matter how big the problem no matter how seemingly overwhelming if you tackle it with compassion, respect and a sense of community you can make lasting positive change.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hill-Lewis commended the team for their tireless devotion to ensuring Cape Town’s most vulnerable are never without a warm meal.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n