Rise Against Hunger's campaign to pack 2.5 million meals
Several companies took part in the Rise Against Hunger's meal-packing event in Durban on Mandela Day.
Image: Leon Lestrade Independent Newspapers
Rise Against Hunger Africa’s Mandela Day campaign this year is a national initiative spanning 25 days with the goal of packing 2.5 million nutritious meals. This ambitious undertaking aims to support 225 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres across South Africa for a full year, reinforcing the vital link between proper nutrition and early childhood education.
The organisation said, rooted in the spirit of Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy of service and social justice, the campaign encourages corporates to dedicate their time and resources to uplift underprivileged communities.
The initiative invited South Africans to dedicate 67 minutes of their time in service, aligning with the spirit of Mandela Day and its global call to action. Corporate teams participated in coordinated meal-packing events across six major cities, directly supporting food security and education for the country’s most vulnerable children.
The Mercury and Independent Media staff also participated in the meal packing event.
Image: Leon Lestrade Independent Newspapers
In Durban, there was a vibrant atmosphere at The Station venue on Friday, where teams from various companies set up production lines and got busy packing meals. Kim Carrington, Rise Against Hunger KZN Regional Branch Manager, said 220,656 meals were packed on Mandela Day at the Durban event.
Several corporates took part including Absa, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Sibaya Casino, Shoprite Checkers, Liberty, NMI DSM and SA Home Loans. The Mercury also had a team at the event.
“It was a spectacular day and we made a huge impact on reaching our goal of packing 2.5 million meals in 25 days. The campaign goes on even after Mandela Day; we work with corporates throughout the year.
“We can host team building meal packing events at their premises and they receive a Section 18A certificate for their contribution.”
Carrington explained that for ECD centres, providing meals for children can be their biggest expense; therefore, Rise Against Hunger steps in to provide nutritious meals which also allows the centres to save money for other needs. She said they encourage the centres to use the savings to improve infrastructure, upskill staff or buy educational resources so they reach a point where they can sustain themselves and get registered with their government, which allows them to receive grants.