Mandela Day: Where to donate food

The theme for this year’s Nelson Mandela Day, which takes place on July 18, is “It is in Your Hands.”

In addressing the worldwide problem of poverty, suffering, and deprivation, Nelson Mandela said, “It is in your hands to make our world a better one for all, especially the poor, vulnerable, and marginalised.” These significant remarks from our global icon and father of our nation are at the heart of our efforts this Nelson Mandela Day to address the intersection of climate change and food security.

South Africans can participate in the day by donating food to various organisations that aim to extend the acts of good service or by planting trees and contributing to community and home-based food gardens.

We have put together a list of organisations for citizens who would like to donate food tomorrow:

SA Harvest

SA Harvest, the food rescue and hunger-relief organisation, is extending Mandela Day into Mandela Month, keeping the acts of good service going. The organisation encourages food donors, corporates, partner organisations, and anyone who can, to join their Mandela Month campaign to deliver one million meals to those in need.

SA Harvest reports that 20 million people including kids go to sleep hungry in SA every night “even though we’re not a food-scarce country.” This campaign aims to help reduce this number. Alan Browde, CEO and founder of SA Harvest says, if you’d like to help, you can donate money or food in volumes of 67 (to honour Mandela Day’s 67 minutes). So, you can donate R67, R670, R6 700, R67k, or 67 kilograms or grams of rice, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, or other foods.

Head to SA Harvest’s website to donate or to learn more about how you can participate.

Checkers Sixty60 and Meals on Wheels

Checkers Sixty60 has again joined forces with Meals on Wheels, a registered non-profit organisation, to offer customers a meaningful way to contribute on Mandela Day. By donating non-perishable food items through the grocery app, Checkers Sixty60 customers can support Meals on Wheels’ mission of providing nutritious meals and assistance to vulnerable individuals in the community.

Customers can donate from anywhere in South Africa. Simply open the Sixty60 app, go to the delivery address bar, type in ‘Meals on Wheels’, choose one of the listed Meals on Wheels locations and place your order.  Customers who make a donation via the app will have their delivery fee refunded, and Checkers Sixty60 will match the value of all donations made to Meals on Wheels between 14 – 18 July.

FoodForward SA

Volunteer 67 minutes and help someone in need enjoy a nutritious meal. Citizens can register to join the FoodForward SA Mandela Day initiative and sort food items and pack parcels that will help non-profit organisations like community kitchens, shelters, centres for vulnerable children and elderly care facilities prepare nutritious meals.

The 2023 FoodForward SA Mandela Day Packing event will be hosted at their Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban warehouses.

Head to the FoodForward SA website and find out how you can register to participate in the packing event or how to donate food.

Isle of Man Food Bank Food Drive

Chefs With Compassion

Chefs with Compassion’s #67000litres Challenge is back once again this Mandela Day – and you’re invited! Whether you’re in Parys or Pofadder, Joburg or Jeffreys Bay, you can participate in your own kitchen on Mandela Day. Your challenge is to cook 10 litres of soup in 67 minutes or more, and donate it to a beneficiary of your choice. This is to ensure hungry people across the country, will receive a meal on Mandela Day. At the same time, you’ll be helping Chefs with Compassion reach their target of R1 million raised on Mandela Day through a minimum participation fee of R67.

Head to the Chefs With Compassion website to learn more about how you can donate and participate.

 

ALSO SEE: SA Harvest calls on the logistics industry for support in reducing food waste and hunger

SA Harvest calls on the logistics industry for support in reducing food waste and hunger

Written by Maegan-Leigh Jacobs

Feature Image: Pexels/ Joel Muniz