A Place Just For You
The Table was a vision that was birthed in the hearts and minds of the children at CHS Cape Town (our local church community). Our architects (EMI), church leaders and children met to pray as the children shared what they would like to see in the new building in the future. The children read the parable of the banquet in the Bible where there was a feast for the destitute, outcasts and the sick, all were welcome to come and feast at The Table where God was present. This led to much excitement as the children drew long tables and envisioned a space in the CHS Life Centre where all people could gather and eat together no matter their background. The Table vision was birthed in this time and we opened this space in July 2023!
Here are some of the highlights for you to enjoy!
COMMUNITY LUNCH
The Table Cafe can host different events and gatherings that support different community initiatives, including those that impact some of the most marginalised in society. In our first month we hosted our first community lunch for our housed and unhoused (homeless) community. It was an amazing time where a hot lunch was served and we shared a meal together whilst sharing our stories and built new friendships and relationships. We will now do these once a month and we are already excited for the next one!
COMMUNITY BUSINESS BREAKFAST
The Table also hosted our first Kirstenhof community business breakfast which was an initiative of Marc Bovin, a local resident who had a vision to bring local businesses together. Our first breakfast was sold out and Carolynn Franklin the Ward councillor for Kirstenhof spoke on the power of community. The feedback was amazing and we have now booked this breakfast in monthly until the end of the year.
The Table Cafe is a community cafe throughout the week but as mentioned can be booked out for events in evenings and on weekends. In June we appointed Mark Lawson-Smith from Streatfood to run all our food and coffee operations. Mark is an experienced chef who has worked in restaurants in South Africa and abroad. Mark also has a big heart for community empowerment through training and equipping others in coffee and food.
Opening of The Table with Mark, Carolynn and Priscilla
“I was excited to join The Table cafe when I heard the vision of The Table. I believe that food is one of the best ways for people to connect and to see this space used to bring people together from our local communities.”
We also welcomed Priscilla Johnson who is part of our local church community and graduated from the U-Turn programme. U-Turn is an amazing charity that provides sustainable opportunities for the homeless to get off the street and find work and housing. We are excited to see her grow in all areas of her life and she has been a massive blessing to the team here - go Priscilla!!
“It is such a privilege for me to be at The Table Cafe. To go from taking from the community through drug dealing to now being a place that brings the community together is a huge blessing in my life.”
LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE
At the CHS Life Centre we support many initiatives that are impacting some of the most marginalised in society. In the cafe we have our “Love Where You Live” wall where we highlight many of these initiatives and encourage people to find out more and how to get involved. These are some tangible ways to make a difference in society. These initiatives include helping the homeless, after school tuition in Westlake, life-skills development and much more!
PAY IT FORWARD
We also launched our ‘Pay It Forward’ coffee campaign which provides people the opportunity to purchase a coffee for someone in need. Every week we engage with people who are struggling in life, whether with mental health, unemployment, living on the streets or something else. Through our staff and community team, we redeem these coffees for those who need some encouragement. The scheme illustrates a simple way how we can support one another in tough times.
We are excited to see more initiatives take place at The Table in the future. If you would like to visit us, the opening hours are Mon - Fri from 7:30 am - 3 pm. You can also book The Table for evening events or host meals.
Please do get in contact if you would like to know more information. I do hope we can welcome you to The Table soon. As our slogan says 'There is a place just for you’.
Kind Regards,
Life Centre Director
