The heat has been turned up in an already sweltering Wellington in the Boland on Saturday, with 100 large pots of potjiekos cooked over open coals.
The Nonprofit Organisation Outside The Bowl donated the food and pots to soup kitchens and feeding schemes from across the Western Cape.
The event, which also aims to set a world record, is really about fundraising to feed children in need.
It’s a labour of love and a passion for filling hungry tummies. Preparations started at 4 am and the first pots were already bubbling by daybreak.
The organisation says children are the most vulnerable in a society where food security and access to food are under threat. It says sponsorships by corporates have also made it possible, with this event, to provide a million instant maize-based meals to hungry children.
CEO of Outside The Bowl Africa, Mark Maingard says, any support is welcomed.
“We are feeding 20 000 people today with a hot meal, over and above the million portions of our vita Kidz product that’s going to go out after today with amazing support from corporates, so we are very, very blessed and happy to be able to make a difference but really we just want people to notice us, to see what we are about and support us in future because without that support we cant feed and we are desperate for that support.”
As South Africa marks the second anniversary of COVID-19 in the country, Maingard says the pandemic has and continues to wreak havoc on especially the poor. – with thousands of children dying of hunger in the world every day.
Maingard explains, “COVID has certainly impacted the hunger situation, it compounded the problem, it’s dire out there when you go into communities and you see what’s happening, there’s not enough food, there are kids going to sleep at night falling asleep and not knowing where their next meal is coming from.”
The mince, lentil and pasta pots have been donated to feeding schemes across the province. The food will feed some 20 000 and feeding schemes have been gifted the size 20 cast iron potjiekos pots for use in their community kitchens.
Gift of Grace Child and Youth Care Centre, John Arnold it is a blessing.
“Today I’m getting two pots because the need is so big there in Hanover Park I was given two pots today and I’m going straight there to the community now, to feed them. This is such a big blessing. Most of these people are young children and small kids, when I pull up there now everyone runs for a container because they know it’s food that we are bringing to them.”
Maingard says this event, just like their everyday work, is aimed at closing the lid on child hunger.
