In times of crisis, heroes emerge. One of the most inspiring sights of late has been how quickly the Cape Winelands community has adapted and mobilised to assist in alleviating the strain that the COVID-19 pandemic has put on the most vulnerable, as well as the hospitality industry in general. The Nederburg team has identified a number of local initiatives that need urgent support.
For those who can, here are ten ways you can assist in lightening the burden of many in our community.
Stellenbosch Unite
A collaborative aid action aimed at providing social support to vulnerable community members during the COVID-19 pandemic via weekly food parcels and further aid as the pandemic intensifies. You can help out by volunteering, should you live in the Stellenbosch area, or by providing financial support.
Ranyaka
Ranyaka is an urban planning social enterprise that works with communities (including the communities that surround Nederburg in Paarl), local role-players and pioneering investors to co-create places where people can prosper, in every sense of the word. Make contact with their friendly team to find out how you can help, even in the smallest way.
Heart NPO
This non-profit organisation based in Paarl, and servicing the Paarl and Greater Drakenstein geographical area, caters for 200 registered children and elderly people at their two food kitchens in Hillside and Smartie Town. Contact them to find out what their current need is.
Franschhoek Disaster Management
In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 and help those in need, Franschhoek Disaster Management team led by Ashley Bauer, with the support of local residents, community leaders and volunteers, has partnered with local non-profits to establish a food unit. Together with a group of Franschhoek chefs, under the guidance of Foliage Restaurant’s executive chef, Chris Erasmus, this unit is feeding over 1500 local households a week. You can get involved by volunteering, or by donating much needed funds.
Moms for Wellington
A group of resourceful Wellington-based moms established a ‘helping without hurting’ initiative to gift shopping vouchers to the value of R350 to vulnerable beneficiaries. The vouchers can be redeemed at designated shops for selected food items. This programme normally offers day-care facilities to 147 pre-schoolers in Wellington’s less-privileged community with the help of 57 community volunteers. Give them a call to find out how you can make a difference in this Cape Winelands community.
Qhubeka
A long-time partner of Nederburg, Qhubeka is a global charity that moves people forward with bicycles in Africa. People earn bicycles through our programmes, improving their access to schools, clinics and jobs. Donations are welcomed to keep their momentum going, especially for when lockdown regulations ease up and they are able to continue with their bicycle distributions in communities across South Africa.
Soupathon 1000
Chef Wynand du Plessis, owner of Extreem Kwizeen in Cape Town’s Mowbray, started Soupathon 1000 where other chefs volunteer their time and crew to prepare plastic tubs with frozen soup for Cape Town’s homeless. He is joined by other well-known chefs such as Pete Goffe-Wood of Viande at the Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl, as well as Andrea Foulkes of Cape Town catering company, Dish Food & Social. A 200ml cup of hot soup costs only 23 cents. A R1 donation can feed a family of four. Contact them to donate your time, cash or ingredients.
Eat Out Restaurant Relief Fund
The Eat Out Restaurant Relief Fund has been created to offer financial support to South Africa’s incredible restaurants who are helping feed hungry families during this critical time. They call on the public to donate to the fund, to help save the restaurant industry and support their efforts to help others.
Valcare
An impact funding platform that activates and enables social change in communities across the country, including the Cape Winelands. Together with their non-profit members, they are distributing COVID-19 food parcels designed in consultation with nutritional and disaster response experts, to ensure that the basic needs of a family are sufficiently met. The parcels cost R350 each.
There are loads more initiatives across South Africa that need as much support as they can get. Keep your eyes peeled and investigate the most suitable way for you to get involved and change lives.
Ladles of Love
Ladles of Love is an extensive community project dedicated to feeding hungry people. Its soup kitchens feed the homeless of Cape Town every week. They also provide food to struggling schools, students and communities. You can help by participating in their ‘Food & Sandwich Drive’, by volunteering to fund-raise on their behalf, by donating funds, or by purchase fresh ingredients from them, thereby helping to support their various projects.
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