Shelah (second from left) giving out silk saree to widows.
Members of Persatuan Komuniti El Shaddai KL @ Miracle Chapel Sentul, one of the oldest soup kitchens in Malaysia, embarked on another charity event for Kuala Lumpur’s needy in the spirit of Deepavali.
Some 700 single mothers, children and families from the B40 group were treated to a grand party at the chapel.
Headed by patron Puan Sri Betty Saw, the main event sponsors included Global Specialty Ingredients Group of Companies (GIS) headed by Datuk Dr Robert and Datin Shelah Basker, Datuk Joshua Kevin, Datin Linda Fraulien, John Wee and Leticia Gomes.
GIS is also the official patron of the soup kitchen.
Chapel director and former chef Ivan Kennedy led about 30 helpers in cooking some 700 packs of mutton, Sindhi chicken briyani and delicacies for the less fortunate.
Kennedy described the process as “putting love on a plate”.
“The celebration shows that there are still people who love and care for the less fortunate, going beyond the barriers of race, and religion.
“The single mums and elderly women each received an expensive Kanchipuram silk saree, a bag full of Deepavali grocery items, cash and a 10kg bag of rice,” he said.
The elderly men received a dhoti with kurta, cash, rations and a grand meal.
The children were also treated to chicken briyani and ang pow.
Kennedy said the organisation’s primary activity was operating the soup kitchen, which feeds hundreds of children, single mothers and the homeless weekly.
“In 1942 during the Japanese Occupation, chapel members started its first soup kitchen by giving rice, milk and boiled tapioca to the poor.
“Now, it is chicken briyani every week, sponsored by GIS managing director Datin Shelah,” he said.
“On top of our feeding programmes, we also run an old folks home and ElShaddai Shelter Homes.
“We rely on public donations and profits from selling cakes and cookies throughout the year,” he added.
For details, call 016-227 5255. Alternatively, e-mail to elshaddai24hrs@yahoo.com
