Elim soup kitchen wins $1,000 Community Spirit Award

Elim soup kitchen wins $1,000 Community Spirit Award

February 2012: Elim Soup Kitchen puts $1,000 Instant Finance Community Spirit Award prize money back into the pot

Over the past three years, more than 10,000 cooked three course lunches have been provided free of charge, by the Elim Soup Kitchen in Manurewa on Wednesdays, and now this valuable service has been recognised and announced as the winner of an Instant Finance Community Spirit Award.

Along with the Award, comes $1,000 in prize money which the Elim Soup Kitchen will be investing into new commercial grade, catering equipment, including pots and pans.

Hundreds of community organisations, individuals and projects from around the country were nominated through Instant Finance branches in November and December 2011. These were then whittled down to a final list of 12 highly deserving organisations, which each won a $1,000 Instant Finance Community Spirit Award.

The Elim Soup Kitchen is a totally free service, run by a team of up to 20 volunteers who prep, cook, greet, serve and clean up for up to 100 diners, every Wednesday. The centre runs an Open Door policy, and aims to provide a place where people can have a hot nutritious meal, and get to know other people in the community.

Boyd Ratnaraja from the Elim Soup Kitchen said: “We are very excited to have been recognised with this Award. We are all about giving hope to others and inspiring them about life - this Award reminds us that we are making a difference and people in our community have recognised that and nominated us. We are honoured by this.”

Initially set up by founder, Angela Anderson, the Soup Kitchen is now supported by the Elim Christian Centre, and serves up to 100 people every Wednesday with meals ranging from fried rice to roast chicken, sausages to shepherds pie and always with a first course and dessert. “Some say it’s the flashest soup kitchen in Auckland”, says Boyd.

Instant Finance has been running its successful Community Spirit programme for over seven years, with more than 100 organisations and community projects around the country benefiting from the $1,000 grants during this time.

Potential beneficiaries could be nominated by anyone through the entry boxes at local Instant Finance branches, and historically, have included assistance for local sports clubs, community projects, the arts, church led projects, individual grant requests and charities.

This year, 12 organisations and initiatives will benefit from the Community Spirit programme, including:

• North Able, Whangarei
• Elim Soup Kitchen, Manurewa
• Linwood Rugby Club, Christchurch
• Kiwi Super Tots, Onehunga
• Massey Athletics Club, Henderson
• The Company NZ, Kilbirnie
• Plunket Rotorua
• Carlson School, New Lynn
• Papakura Toy Library, Takanini
• Hutt Valley Special Olympics, Wellington
• Omahu Huia Rugby League Club, Hastings
• Christchurch City Cadet Unit, Christchurch

Elim Christian Centre holds family services every Sunday at 9am and 1045am. Everyone is welcome.

ENDS