According to Heemstede’s social impact house committee member, Lize Myburgh, after collections were done, the filled jars were then decentralised and sent to various locations. PHOTO: By Lize Myburgh/Supplied.
Stellenbosch University residence Heemstede established a project called ‘Jars of Hope’ in an attempt to combat food insecurity caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Heemstede’s social impact house committee member, Lize Myburgh, by the end of the project it collected 628 jars, enough to provide over 2500 people.
“Although food insecurity is a systemic problem that requires long-term investment and policies, I felt that we had to be involved in a short-term solution, to increased hunger and food insecurity caused by this pandemic,” said Myburgh, founder of the project.
According to Myburgh, the project involved filling recycled jars with ingredients that could make soup for 4 people.
“The idea for everyone to make these jars at home and donate them to a food bank or disadvantaged people near them,” said Myburgh.
At the end of the day, the project provided one meal for 2500 people, according to Myburgh.
The project also invited communities, residences, PSOs societies and faculty committees to take part, she said.
Founder of the Jars of Hope project, Lize Myburgh, along with Heemstede residence encouraged different residences and PSOs to fill jars.
Eendragters house committee chair Tarlin Nair, described the response of his residence as ‘truly amazing’.
“The project was more than just filling up a jar with some ingredients. It was about making a difference to a family’s life by providing them with a meal,” said Nair.
According to Nair, by using various social media channels; mainly WhatsApp groups, his residence was able to fill 160 jars.
One of the various food banks donated by this project was the Stellenbosch Night Shelter.
According to Stellenbosch Night Shelter manager, Denise Paulse, any contribution no matter how big or small is valuable to the shelter.
“We are always grateful for the involvement from students and the community of Stellenbosch,” said Paulse.
At the end of the project, residences were made aware on social media platforms about the success of it. PHOTO: By Lize Myburgh/Supplied.
Matthew Wingfield, a Ph.D. student at the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, expressed that the Jars of Hope initiative was a necessary and timely intervention.
“I think it is now clear to people that the level of food insecurity in this country and throughout the world is alarming.
Wingfield also pointed out that initiatives such as these simply do not have the resources to maintain themselves, which has consequences.
“Making sure these initiatives and programs are sustainable should be a core focus,” he added, urging the community to stand together in creating more projects like these.
According to Myburgh, the project exceeded her expectations.
“So many people came together and did something for the people around them,” expressed Myburgh.
The project ended on 26 October.
According to Lize Myburgh, the idea was that you fill an old jar with ingredients and give it to someone who really needs an extra bit of hope and support. PHOTO: By Lize Myburgh/ Supplied.