10 NGOs that support food security in South Africa
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10 NGOs that support food security in South Africa

In the wake of the recent events in South Africa, food security has become a primary concern for many. We’ve rounded a few feeding schemes and food-focused charities that could use your help. The past year and a half has been tough for everyone, so if you’re not able to donate yourself, you can still do your bit by sharing this information with those who might be able to.

1. Hearts that Hope

This KZN-based children’s organisation aims to give underprivileged children a safe home, access to food and education. They’ve also started a drive to help restock informal traders affected by the recent looting in KZN.

2. Hope SA

Aimed at uplifting and supporting underprivileged communities in South Africa, Hope SA’s projects include programmes to tackle gender-based violence and feeding schemes. They’re also mobilising to get food and critical supplies to those in need in KZN following the riots.

 

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3. Help Foundation

This organisation is focused on assisting underprivileged women and children across the country, and are currently helping to get food and supplies to those affected by the recent looting in KZN. Donations can be made by contacting them directly on Instagram.

 

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4. The Lunchbox Fund

With a focus on schools, the Lunchbox Fund works to provide nutritious meals to unprivileged school kids to promote their ability to function and learn and incentivise caregivers to send their children to school. Donations go entirely towards these nutritious meals served at schools.

 

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5. Gift of the Givers

Gift of the Givers is a disaster response organisation that aims to protect and restore dignity to vulnerable citizens across the country. Their scope of work includes alleviating hunger, making clean water accessible, education and healthcare. Donations can be made via their website directly.

6. The Robin Hood Foundation

Based in Durban, the Robin Hood foundation aims to mobilise resources to support those in need, focusing on the elderly, women, and children. Their initiatives include ‘gogo bags’ which assist grannies looking after orphaned children and clothing and food drives for babies, to name a few. You can donate funds to them directly to assist with feeding programmes or sponsoring school uniforms, or you can donate food items and even knit booties or blankets for babies.

7. Philisa Abafazi Bethu

Run by Lucinda Evans, Philisa Abafazi Bethu provides a safe house for vulnerable women and children in the Cape Flats. Their work includes an after-school programme aimed at protecting at-risk school-going children, support for abused women and children. This Mandela Day, along with volunteers, they fed 5000 people. If you’re able to donate, all money goes towards running and feeding those seeking shelter in the programmes.

8. Ladles of Love

One of the champions throughout lockdown, Ladles of Love focuses on feeding vulnerable children and families across the western Cape. This year, they’re attempting to break a world record for the longest line of cans of food (6.7km) and need 90 000 cans to do so. Though the physical building of the line is currently paused in line with Covid regulations, you’re still able to donate money or cans of food.

9. Isabelo

Started by chef Margot Janse, Isabelo began as a programme that aimed to feed children at  local school in the Franschhoek area with a nutritious muffin. Fast forward to 2021 and the organisation now provides hot lunches to many more schools and creches. To get involved, you can sponsor an egg, a school pack or contribute towards a kitchen champion, who do all the cooking for the programme.

 

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10. Food Forward SA

Food Forward focuses on tackling widespread hunger across South Africa by partnering with a network of beneficiaries. You can donate money directly to them, organise a food drive of your own or set up a monthly contribution.

 

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Not able to make a monetary donation right now? Register for a MySchool card

We’re very aware that monetary donations are difficult for many families right now, and that donating time and in-person assistance is not on the cards either for many, due to COVID. One way to give back without putting yourself at risk, or making a donation, is to sign up for a Woolies MySchool card and link it to one of the 8000 causes. Swipe your MySchool card every time you shop at Woolies and a percentage of your spend will be donated to that organisation, at no cost to you.

Jess Spiro Article by: Jess Spiro

Jess Spiro is a freelance food writer, chef and restaurant critic based in Cape Town, who can often be found in search of the next great plate of food. Follow her on Instagram @jess_spiro to see what she's eating.

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