VANADZOR, Armenia—On February 17, 2014, the charity organization Orran will launch a soup kitchen program in Vanadzor, Armenia, for 30 of the city’s needy elderly people. The program is being financed by the generous donation of world renowned artist and musician Serj Tankian and his wife Angela.
Patrons will come to Orran at noon to receive a hot meal and to spend some time socializing with one another. The program is based on Orran’s program in Yerevan, where, since the year 2000, over 55 elderly people have been benefiting from Orran’s daily meal program.
Currently, 65 economically deprived children attend Orran Vanadzor and receive a hot meal, medical care, social, psychological and tutoring services. The children also obtain vocational training and participate in a rich cultural program. Orran Vanadzor has been operating since 2009.
“Because of limited funds, we could not take in the elderly as we do in Orran Yerevan,” explains Armine K. Hovannisian, founder of Orran. “When Serj Tankian and his wife Angela asked how they could help Orran Vanandzor, I gave them a few options. They instantly took an interest in the plight of the elderly and within days made a personal contribution to make sure that in this harsh winter the really needy elderly could at least have one hot meal a day and a warm place to feel cared for.”