The Carmen Stevens Foundation has launched an emergency food relief campaign ahead of the December school holidays, highlighting that thousands of South African children face 34 days without their only daily meal when schools close.
Coinciding with World Food Day on Thursday 16 October, the foundation’s “Support Food Hampers for Children During the December School Holidays” campaign aims to raise funds for 2 000 food hampers through a Back-a-Buddy crowdfunding campaign, “The Longest Hunger Starts in January“.
The organisation currently provides daily meals to over 25 000 learners across South Africa during school terms. However, foundation representatives say many of these children receive no other meals throughout the day, making the extended December holiday period particularly challenging for vulnerable families.
Each food hamper contains 32 items designed to feed a family of four to five people for approximately two weeks, at a cost of R550 per hamper. The foundation has indicated that smaller donations of as little as R3,50 are also welcomed.
The campaign highlights the ongoing food security crisis affecting South African children, with World Food Day serving as an annual reminder of global hunger challenges. The United Nations-designated day focuses attention on the 735 million people worldwide who face chronic hunger.
Local communities and donors can contribute to the campaign through the online crowdfunding platform, with the foundation emphasising the urgent need to address childhood hunger during the upcoming holiday period.
Creative workshop to aid hunger relief efforts
In support of their holiday food hamper campaign, the Carmen Stevens Foundation has organised a unique fundraising event that combines artistic expression with community action.
The “Origami Protea Workshop: Fold a Flower, Feed a Child” will take place on Saturday 25 October from 10:00 to 13:00 at False Bay Primary School in Macassar. The creative fundraiser offers participants the opportunity to learn the traditional Japanese art of paper folding while directly contributing to the foundation’s hunger relief efforts.
Workshop tickets are priced at R250 per person and include all materials, step-by-step instruction from a local artist, and light refreshments. The venue provides safe parking for attendees.
Organisers say the workshop represents an innovative approach to fundraising, allowing community members to engage creatively while supporting vulnerable children. All proceeds from ticket sales will contribute to the holiday food hamper programme.
The origami workshop specifically focuses on creating South Africa’s national flower, the protea, adding a local cultural element to the Japanese art form. Participants will leave with completed artwork while knowing their contribution helps address childhood hunger in their community.
Tickets are available through the Quicket platform, with organisers noting that spaces are limited. The foundation encourages early booking to secure participation in what they describe as an opportunity to “fold flowers and fill plates”.
