Municipality Delegation Visited Old Town Soup Kitchen on 25th Anniversary

A delegation from the Old Town Municipality visited the Old Town Soup Kitchen this morning at 08:00 to mark the 25th anniversary of the institution's operation. On this occasion, the kitchen manager, Aunt Zilha, was presented with the regular annual grant for the operation of the Soup Kitchen, amounting to 40,000 KM, Patria reports.

Mayor of the Old Town Municipality Ibrahim Hadžibajrić and Chairman of the Municipal Council Jusuf Pušina served meals to the first beneficiaries of the Soup Kitchen this morning. In addition to the mayor and chairman, the delegation included deputy chairmen Irfan Čengić and Sanel Dragolovčanin, assistant to the mayor Senad Musić, and associates.

Aunt Zilha emphasized that this day is full of emotions for them as they remember all the colleagues who are no longer with them but made significant contributions to the institution's work during difficult war times.

- Unfortunately, the kitchen still has numerous beneficiaries today, around 4,000, but it is a great fortune that we never lack supplies and food. Our doors are open today for all people, regardless of whether they are registered beneficiaries or not - said Aunt Zilha.

- There are quite enough soup kitchens of this type in Sarajevo, a total of five, so our goal recently has been to help people from the outskirts; near Tarčin, we help about 140 beneficiaries daily - she added. She especially thanked the Old Town Municipality for their continuous support.

- Besides various aid we receive, I particularly highlight the Old Town Municipality, which provides us with significant financial assistance every year. Today, they pleasantly surprised me; the entire leadership of the Municipality is here, headed by the mayor, the chairman of the Municipal Council, and officials. It is a great thing that there are no hungry people in the city of Sarajevo today, while unfortunately, there are many poor people - said Aunt Zilha.

Mayor Hadžibajrić recalled the difficult war times when the Soup Kitchen saved many people from hunger, not only from this municipality but from all parts of the city and beyond, and it continues to do so today.

- The Soup Kitchen and Aunt Zilha have saved many people from hunger, and on this occasion, I want to thank her for her great contribution and selfless dedication, both to her and the staff. Thank you for all these years she has worked, endured, and helped people in need - said Hadžibajrić. He added that in the future, efforts must be made to reduce the number of soup kitchens and their beneficiaries.

- Our municipality, as well as all others and the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, must move towards reducing the number of soup kitchens. That would be an indicator that people have started to live better, work, and live off the fruits of their labor - said Hadžibajrić.

Twenty-five years ago, on March 27, 1992, the "Old Town" Soup Kitchen began its work. Since that date, this day has been celebrated as the Day of this kitchen.

Instead of official thank-you notes and festive celebrations, this day, by the decision of the Soup Kitchen's Management Board, is marked by opening the kitchen doors to all citizens of Sarajevo Canton, and for regular beneficiaries, as well as other people in social need and requiring a warm meal, they have prepared special meals. As Aunt Zilha said, the kitchen staff and volunteers worked diligently throughout the weekend and the previous night to serve meals befitting this day to the beneficiaries today.