Kensington Place rallies to provide emergency food to the community of Hanover Park

This story is far more than just about food, it is about community and nation building, bringing together several tourism companies and community partners to alleviate hunger in Hanover Park – a mixed race community in Cape Town ravaged by gangsterism, drugs and poverty. It is also an amazing example of tourism companies collaborating with common purpose for good. Since the middle of May, the Kensington Place Hotel team and friends led by Chris Weir and Richard Butt, together with the Black Sheep Restaurant Team, have cooked more than 25 000 hot, delicious and nutritious meals. These meals are then transported daily from the city bowl by Rory Goldhill (Global Elite Touring), Stephen Stockdale & Leroy Glam from the YMCA Cape Town to Hanover Park which is then graciously handed out to residents in need by Uthando’s two community partners on the ground, The Alcardo Andrews Foundation team led by Aunty Avril Andrews and the Hanover Park Cricket Club guys led by Peter Roberts and Wesley Seconds.

Chris Weir sent the following message to Uthando:

“It was during the hard and inconceivable lockdown that I realized there were so many who are less fortunate and had nothing to eat. Reflecting on our privilege, I decided to take the Kensington Place kitchen and rope some of my friends in to starting a food initiative; where we provide healthy, nutritious food the less fortunate. We partnered with Uthando to assist us with distributing the food – James was able to locate a community who are desperate and in need, and with that we raised generous donations from wonderful clients, tour operators and friends for the ingredients and varying costs. We are now sitting at 25 000 meals provided to Hanover Park community within the last 10 weeks. We hope we can continue for a few more months until this plight is over.”