Feeding Hope in Cape Town with a R2 Meal.
At The Service Dining Rooms we believe dignity starts with a warm plate of food for anyone in need.
For just R2, anyone can receive a nourishing meal. Our mission is simple: remove barriers to food, restore dignity, and create space for community.
Since our launch in 1935, volunteers and donors in Cape Town have helped serve hundreds of meals every week. Each meal is more than calories — it’s connection. We hear stories daily: a single mother able to send her child to school because she knows dinner is covered; an older man who now meets friends at the diner and is no longer isolated; youth who volunteer in exchange for a plate of food to be able to study in the evening.
We operate solely through the generosity of individuals, businesses, and organizations who donate food and funds to keep our mission alive.
Every contribution, big or small, goes directly into purchasing ingredients, maintaining our facilities, and sustaining the team that prepares and serves these vital meals.
The Service Dining Rooms thrives through the combined efforts of our staff, board members, and a compassionate group of volunteers, sponsors, and donors.
Together, they form the backbone of our daily operations, ensuring that every meal is prepared and served with dignity, care, and consistency.
Want to help? You can:
Donate funds (even small amounts multiply — ZAR 2 goes a long way).
Drop off non-perishable or fresh food donations.
- Save up all your plastic food containers with lids. We use these for serving takeaway meals.
Volunteer your time — food prep, serving, cleaning or office admin help.
Spread the word: share our story with friends, local churches, and community groups.
Follow our blog and news page for updates, volunteer spotlights, and media features.
The Service Dining Rooms exists because people show up for one another. A ZAR 2 meal can’t fix everything — but it can change a day, and a lot of days change a life.
Thank you to everyone who makes the plates and the smiles possible.
xxx The Service Dining Rooms Team