Dozens of volunteers packed more than 44 000 meals for preschoolers across the province at Kenilworth Centre on Saturday.
The “packathon” was run by Rise Against Hunger, a global relief organisation, which provided 440kg of rice, split peas, soya, lentils and other ingredients. Each food pack included a vitamin C sachet.
The meals are expected to feed at least 200 children at more than 100 preschools in Philippi, Khayelitsha, Vrygrond, Capricorn, Red Hill, Masiphumelele and other poor communities for a full year.
“We had a lot of people coming to support us in numbers,” said an organiser, Gugu Hlatshwayo.
Prosper Torchere, from Ark Angels educare in Seawinds, welcomed the support from Rise Against Hunger.
“Every month, they will bring us food and ensure that we have enough rice as well.”
What they saved on food because of the support meant the educare could save money for improvements to the facility, he said.
Principal Phathiswa Ciya, of the Lizalise Educare in Philippi, said Rise Against Hunger’s efforts helped the preschool’s 62 children.
“We are able to give the children breakfast and lunch, and because of their support, we are able to take on more children to come learn at our educare centre.”
Volunteers Avril Andreucci, from Swellendam, and Rugieda Jacobs, from Strandfontein, packed meals throughout the event from 9.30am to 2.30pm.
“It was a privilege for me to help to ensure that the children can have a good meal,” said Ms Andreucci.
Ms Jacobs added: “I always believe that you must do your good deed for the day, and I am glad I could help.”
The mall celebrated its 48th birthday on the day and pledged R80 000 to Rise Against Hunger.
“We are grateful to the community and our tenants who have come out and supported this initiative,” said mall spokesperson Gouwa Waja.
Ms Waja says that Kenilworth Centre staff packed over 6000 meal packs on Wednesday November 22 , to take the grand total to over 50 000 meals which will go towards Rise against Hunger.
Visit riseagainsthunger.org.za for more details.
