Food For Life Midrand raises awareness for World Hunger Day
MIDRAND - PEOPLE and organisations around the world, including Food for Life Midrand, have planned several initiatives to mark World Hunger Day on 28 May in an effort to declare their commitment to eradicate hunger globally.
World Hunger Day was launched by the Hunger Project UK organisation in 2011. This global non-profit body states that 842 million people, one-eighth of the world’s population, live in extreme hunger and poverty.
In South Africa, one-third of all food produced goes to waste, while more than 11 million hungry people are living without the fundamental security of regular meals, according to FoodBank SA, a non-profit organisation.
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“Individuals and organisations in South Africa must continue to help make South Africa a hunger-free country,” said Vinesh Maharaj, chairperson of Food for Life Midrand, a local food-relief network.
Food For Life is the largest vegetarian food-relief network globally, which serves two million vegetarian/vegan meals daily. Every month, 800 plates of fresh, nutritious meals, in line with Food for Life’s global standards, are cooked and served to the recipients of its programme in Ivory Park and President Park. At the moment, Tumelo Home for the Mentally Handicapped, the Thuthukani Centre and the New Jerusalem Children’s Home benefit.
Maharaj is urging the residents of Midrand and surrounding suburbs to volunteer their time at this month’s Food for Life Midrand programme on 31 May to commemorate World Hunger Day.
“Due to the amazing support received from sponsors and volunteers over the past few months, Food For Life Midrand is now in a position to feed more children – as well as provide even more attention to the children [because there will be] two teams,” said Maharaj.
“This enables the children to have their lunch much earlier. We therefore need as many volunteers as possible to assist with the feeding so that the two teams are fully manned.
“This is also another indication of how the organisation is growing in terms of support and acknowledgement of the organisation’s mission, which is to make Midrand a hunger-free zone.”
Volunteers can meet the Food For Life Midrand team who will be stationed at the old Nagiah’s shopping centre [the outside parking bays], located on Le Roux Rd at 11.15am on 31 May.
Details: Vinesh Maharaj 083 792 6518; midrand@fflsa.org
