Obs Pasta Kitchen spread the love on Valentine’s Day with a special meal for about 100 homeless and needy people, at the St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church hall.
The feeding scheme serves the homeless in Observatory with a warm pasta meal every Wednesday. It was founded in 2018 by the late Kimon “Kiki” Bisogno, her husband, Diego, and Dani Saporetti.
Ms Bisogno was killed in a shark attack in Plettenberg Bay in September 2022.
The feeding scheme was initially run out of the Bisogno’s pizzeria, Ferdinando’s Pizza, until the church offered them the use of the hall.
“Kimon and Diego had come up with the idea to feed the homeless in Observatory with a home-made plate of pasta (because of our Italian heritage) and we just started – with no idea of how long it would go for. We started one Wednesday and here we are – six years later, still feeding a plate of pasta every Wednesday,” Ms Saporetti said.
According to her, it’s about more than providing a meal, it’s about creating connections with the people on the streets and developing a long-term strategy to improve their lives.
“So while the Obs Pasta Kitchen solves the short-term problem of hungry bellies, we have a higher purpose and long-term plan. Our volunteers not only hand out food but engage with our guests. We offer emotional support and an ear to listen with the aim of discovering how we can help these people more.
“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.”
Carmelita Beukes, who now lives at Rainbow House (a home for previously homeless people in Observatory), has been coming to Obs Pasta Kitchen since the start. She recalled the earlier days with Ms Bisogno, where they would receive food and clothes in return for pulling out weeds and doing other odd jobs.
“Everything done here is in memory of her. We have to take in what we are taught and grow from there,” she said.
Rodney Cloete, who also lives at Rainbow House, has been coming to the feeding scheme for about three years.
“It’s a small gesture of love, but it means everything to us, knowing that we will have a warm plate of food every Wednesday. We are grateful to the volunteers and all the donors,” he said.
Rebecca Campbell, who has been volunteering with the scheme for about 15 months, said she had learnt about it from a friend.
“It is truly a privilege to volunteer here. It has been wonderful getting to know everyone who comes through these doors, and I have learnt and grown so much since being here.”
Tracey-Lee Venter started out by making cupcakes for the homeless, but she took over as the feeding scheme’s manager in 2022 following Ms Bisogno’s death.
“What started as a once-a-month initiative turned into an every week thing. It has been amazing getting to know our guests – they have also made a huge impact on our lives.”
Ms Saporetti said they were grateful for the weekly donation of pasta from Ladles of Love but were looking for more volunteers. Email obspastakitchen@gmail.com to get involved.
