The founder of Central City NPO Ladles of Love has successfully completed his Homelessness Challenge and aims to continue his efforts to change the narrative on homelessness.
Ladles of Love was founded by Danny Diliberto, who is also the former owner of the Doppio Zero restaurant in Mandela Rhodes Place in the CBD. The organisation was set up as an extensive community project dedicated to feeding the homeless of Cape Town, on a weekly basis, via its own soup kitchens.
In a bid to raise R48 000 (enough to sponsor another 4 800 meals and to highlight the challenges faced by streetpeople), Danny embarked on The Homelessness Challenge on 29 November. He spent two days living on the streets of Cape Town with no money, no credit card, no phone and no outside assistance.
During this period, Danny managed to raise R51 000 in donations, surpassing his target, and he is now making a mini documentary based on his experience to raise more funds to feed the homeless.
“This is an issue we cannot afford to ignore,” says Danny. “We need to deal with it in a more positive and proactive way. Thinking out of the box is essential and the aim is to spread awareness around homelessness and make the situation better.
“Our goal now is to raise additional funds using the documentary, which we’ll hopefully launch end of February or beginning of March. But, most importantly, we want to use this documentary to tell people that homelessness cannot be ignored and that both business and community need to invest if they want to make our city a better place for all to live in. We’re especially grateful to the various organisations and individuals for all their support, encouragement and pledges.”
According to Pat Eddy, manager of CCID Social Development, her team is encouraged by the success of The Homelessness Challenge.
“My team engages with the Central City’s most vulnerable on a daily basis, concentrating much of its effort on assisting streetpeople towards the services they need. So, we’re very much aware of the challenges that streetpeople face. We are therefore heartened by this initiative and we share Danny’s sentiments that the conversation around these challenges needs to continue to assist towards finding sustainable solutions.”
Speaking about his experience on the streets, Danny says it was an emotional, uplifting, crazy, shocking, draining, fulfilling and eye-opening couple of days.
“I was amazed at how quickly I slipped into survival mode. That, for me, was the scariest part. I spent my time just trying to get through the day and I was only there for two days. Can you imagine what it’s like for someone living on the street permanently?”
Danny adds that, while the volume of work needed around homelessness is enormous, his organisation is motivated to keep making a difference.
“As Ladles of Love, we’re taking it day by day. Ultimately, we would like to be able to create a hub, by working together with other organisations and big business, where we’re able to provide more shelter space for people living on the street, assistance with rehabilitation so that they can regain their dignity, and a place where they can store their belongings and be able to clean themselves.”
Image by capetowner.co.za