TEN mobile kitchens will travel South Africa to bring food to children and the elderly in some of the country's most impoverished areas.

TEN mobile kitchens will travel South Africa to bring food to children and the elderly in some of the country's most impoverished areas.

Led by food retail giant Shoprite and soup manufacturer Royco, the kitchen units aim to provide more than four million meals over the next 12 months as part of the retailer's national feeding programme.

The programme was launched this week at Kaalfontein Primary School in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni.

Local celebrities such as Metro FM DJ Penny Lebyane, Isidingo actress Camilla Waldman, singer Kurt Darren and former Springbok rugby player Ashwin Willemse attended the event.

Lebyane yesterday donned an apron and served bread and soup to pupils.

She said the programme would supplement school feeding schemes in some areas and provide nutrition to children who go to school hungry.

"I know the comfort and joy of getting a meal can bring to a child. I benefitted from a feeding scheme when I was at school," said Lebyane.

Mother-of-five Dora Mashaba said she looked forward to another visit to the area by the mobile soup kitchens.

"Sometimes I have to send my children to school hungry. It is a relief to know they can eat at school and have soup at the kitchens," she said.

School principal Selaelo Mohale said the school feeding programme helped the children concentrate during classes.