Pay it forward and help where it’s needed.
With Mandela Day approaching, we’ve rounded up some of the many wonderful initiatives in Cape Town that offer the opportunity to do some good. Whether it’s just for the day, or you’d like to get involved on a weekly or monthly basis, you might find that if you give a little love, you’ll receive some in return.
Ladles of Love
Choose a time slot for the day (from 9am – 4pm) and spend 67 minutes making sandwiches, packing food hampers or making educational crafts, posters and toys for children in need. (This is also a world record attempt, and Ladles of Love are hoping to raise R5 million.)
Cost R200
Where Lookout Venue, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Good to know Book your slot here
Contact info@ladlesoflove.org.za
Pebbles Project
Give the gift of learning and pack (or sponsor) a stationery box for rural children. Pebbles Project supports early childhood development education and after-school clubs, plus health and nutrition, for children of farm workers in the Winelands, Cederberg and Overberg. You can also pack a hygiene box for teens or donate a diary and pen for the mental-health programme.
Cost R200
Where Villiera Wine Farm, Stellenbosch
Good to know Donate or sponsor a school pack here
Contact erica@pebblesproject.co.za
FoodForward SA
Choose a time slot for the day (9.30am, 11.30am or 1.30pm) and spend 67 minutes packing food parcels that will be distributed to NGOs across the country. This is a nationwide event with a huge impact (last year over 5 000 volunteers packed hundreds of tons of food).
Cost None (donations welcome)
Where 21 Polaris Road, Lansdowne, Cape Town
Good to know Book your slot here
Contact info@foodforwardsa.org
MES
Help the homeless and unemployed by delivering a donation or lending a hand at one of the three MES Homeless Support Centres in Cape Town (in Bellville, Parow or Durbanville). Basic dry food items, warm clothing, toiletries, cleaning detergents and donated Mi-Change Vouchers are welcomed. Items can be dropped off from 15 – 19 July. Email for addresses, and to find out about Mandela Day activities and specific needs.
Cost None (donations)
Good to know Find out more and donate here
Contact cptfundraising@mes.org.za
The Hope Exchange
Put together a box of toiletries (body wash, lotion, deodorant, soap, shampoo) to donate to the ablution facilities at this innercity project, which helps people living on the street. Every day more than 80 people come to shower and wash their clothing at The Hope Exchange, where they can also access additional social services to help change their lives. Alternately, book for the car wash (an income-generating project on the premises).
Cost Donation of goods (or R67 monthly)
Where 14A Roeland Street, Cape Town
Good to know Find out more or set up a monthly donation here
Contact info@thehopeexchange.org
SA Unite
The Hub of Hope Kitchen needs some TLC, so you can get stuck in on 19 July with your renovation skills (carpentry, painting, electrical), or donate the supplies needed, including appliances and utensils. On 20 July, you can donate or join the visit to Uitsig to distribute food, blankets, clothing, party packs for kids and items for new mothers. (Donations can be dropped off on weekdays until 15 July.)
Cost None (donations)
Where 13 Parow Street, Parow, Cape Town
Good to know Make a donation here
Contact info@saunite.org.za
67 Blankets
Spreading joy, colour, hope and warmth since 2013, you can knit or crochet 20cm squares, an entire blanket (from a baby blanket to a large adult one) or even a scarf, to donate to those who need them. You can also donate needles and wool (which can be bought online from the 67 Blankets shop), or “adopt a knitter” by funding their supplies.
Cost None (donations)
Where The website lists “ambassadors” in Cape Town and surrounds who accept your items.
Contact info@67blankets.co.za
What cause are you most passionate about? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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