The collaborative initiative, Stellenbosch Unite, established by prominent local organisations and non-profit organisations (NPOs), aims to procure and distribute a minimum of 2 500 food and provision parcels per week for vulnerable community members amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The local initiative launched at the end of March.
The prominent local organisations responsible for coordinating Stellenbosch Unite. PHOTO: Stellenbosch Unite website
To secure the 2 500 parcels, the initiative requires a minimum of R250 000 per week, according to the initiative’s official site. NPOs on the team are Usiko, Her Voice, Love to Give, Pebbles Project, Kuyasa and Feeding in Action.
Donations for the first week had been exceeded within the first two days of the initiative’s launch, said Jeanneret Momberg, the general manager of Visit Stellenbosch.
“Communities are really standing together and pulling their weight. What is really positive to see is that it’s a lot of smaller donations, [such as] R100, R200. So really, that makes a difference,” said Momberg.
The initiative is going very well, confirmed Stuart Grobbelaar, Stellenbosch Municipality’s spokesperson.
“The municipality has designated the Town Hall as a central drop-off point for any non-perishable food items, bedding and toiletries people wish to donate,” said Grobbelaar.
The NPO Usiko is doing its part in ensuring that no needy families go hungry, by procuring and distributing food parcels in Jamestown, Mountain View and Cloetesville. PHOTO: Instagram/Usiko
Stellenbosch Unite consists of two aid streams, according to Momberg. The first stream targets needy individuals already identified by existing networks and NPOs, with the aim of distributing 1 000 food parcels a week, she said.
Other NPOs involved are also broadening their beneficiaries to form part of the second aid stream, which is coordinated by Stellenbosch Unite.
According to Momberg, these beneficiaries would be those who would not have been part of a social aid system before. They would have had jobs and a stable income, but due to the lockdown cannot provide food for their families, and without help will face certain and prevailing hunger.
“We are planning to distribute 1 500 packets to this particular aid stream, and the beneficiaries will be identified through an established community network,” said Momberg.
One NPO, Usiko, with Jamestown resident Arnold Okkers at the helm, forms part of the first aid stream program. The Jamestown community has joined hands to support the initiative, Okkers said.
The Usiko team protects themselves and stands ready in preparation for distributing food and provisions to the needy. PHOTO: Instagram/Usiko
“SCAN [South African Civil Advocacy Network] called me and asked if we wanted to be part of the Stellenbosch Unite initiative. We then took on other communities, ” said Okkers.
Those who cannot physically partake in packing or distribution, can offer advice, financial support and procurement of donations of any kind, Okkers said.
Her Voice, an NPO which assists mothers between the ages of 18 and 35 as their immediate beneficiaries, is also part of the initiative.
“Resources coming through Stellenbosch Unite can be funnelled through us to help us expand who we serve,” said Alexandra Nomavuka, the founder of Her Voice.
The Stellenbosch Unite website provides helpful information on the initiative, its goals, and how to donate. PHOTO: Stellenbosch Unite website