The Dolphin Coast Outreach (DCO) initiative began in September 2020, picking up where the very successful Soup-a-Heroes initiative left off.  The Soup-a-Heroes initiative, started by Karen Doveton of Brettenwood Coastal Estate and the North Coast Courier Orphan Fund, saw approximately 150 households produce nearly 24,000 litres of homemade soup during lockdown, as well as collecting donations of dry goods, baby items and soap.  The outpouring of soup and generosity was truly amazing, with nearly R1.2 million worth of soup and donations distributed to a variety of well-established organisations. 

Due to the huge success of this initiative, and the major impact it had on those in need, the DCO made a decision to continue this effort, together with the wonderful support of the community.  We shall endeavor to make the supply chain as short and transparent as possible in order to maximise the benefit to all those in need.  We also aim to assist in empowering and growing other community initiatives, in becoming more resilient and sustainable. 

All soup and goods collected are warehoused at our central warehousing hub, located in Umhlali, behind the Workspace offices.  From here, volunteers distribute to the various beneficiary organisations.  The DCO works with a range of established organisations in the field to distribute its donations. These range from church -based groups, welfare organisations, charities and concerned active citizens.

The DCO augments these existing initiatives, especially during the current wave of Covid-19 and various stages of lockdown. Some of our partners include His Way Outreach NPO, Vision 153 NPO, The Orphan Fund, and various church groups which spread across 12 different communities and benefit over 500 individuals.

The distribution is performed directly and instantly to those in need and is constantly monitored by DCO members to ensure there is no maltreatment. The DCO operates as a non-cultural, non-political, and non-religious organisation and is only accountable to its sponsors and the community. DCO does not, at this stage, accept any pure cash donations.

The items currently being collected are (but are not limited to):

• frozen homemade soups (please freeze in plastic containers)
• bread and bread rolls, or any other starch
• baby foods such as powdered formula, porridge, etc.
• soap and personal toiletries
• dry goods such as 2kg bags of rice or maize meal, tins of baked beans or pilchards etc.
• gently used children’s clothing, toys or other used items such as linen
• used, clean, plastic tubs from ice cream, yoghurt and other foods to be used to freeze soup

Collection is done on a regular basis, by prior arrangement. Collection points include the warehouse hub in Umhlali and Tiffany’s shopping centre, or via drop off at the Brettenwood Coastal Estate main gate. 

For more information or to arrange a drop off, check out the Dolphin Coast Outreach Facebook page link below, WhatsApp Deon on 082 558 8788 or Megan on 082 458 8811, or email admin@docrra.co.za.