A cup of pap goes a long way
IVORY PARK– What initially began as an idea of distributing one cup of maize meal has grown into a fully-fledged operation that feeds hundreds of vulnerable people in various communities on a weekly basis.
Community members from Ivory Park have been just some of the beneficiaries of the One Cup of Pap initiative.
On 15 May, residents of the Clay Oven informal settlement received much-needed food parcels.
What initially began as an idea of distributing one cup of maize meal by former Sharks and Stormers rugby player, Wayne Boardman, has grown into a fully-fledged operation that feeds hundreds of vulnerable people in various communities on a weekly basis.
From a starting budget of R250, the initiative has grown exponentially averaging at almost R80 000 a week. In order to widen its reach and get more people involved, Boardman called on some of his rugby friends to join in and hopefully get more people involved.
“This operation now feeds between 1 500 to 2 100 people so we hope that by bringing on a few familiar faces, people may want to get involved,” said Boardman.
He credits the involvement of Sandton Police Station for allowing and assisting the group to feed a large number of people. “The Sandton police officers have been phenomenal! I can sometimes talk to them the day before or even the day of the food distribution, just like today, and they will be here being polite and helping out with the crowds.”
He noted that he has noticed a trend in the community during this time whereby everyone would like to give back but they just don’t know where to give and who to trust. The group now provides weekly updates to show the community just how powerful their donations are.
“I started out by asking the people in my community for donations and now we have donations coming in from people that I haven’t even met or heard about before, it is truly amazing to see the power of humanity.”
To date, drops have been made at a number of areas including Ivory Park, Braamfontein Spruit and Parkmore.
Springbok legends and former Rugby World Cup winners Joel Stransky, Trevor Nyakane and John Smit have also joined the initiative on a weekly basis to not only bring attention to the cause but actually get involve and help distribute the food parcels among the community.
Nykane added that his involvement with One Cup of Pap was a ‘no brainer’. “I was really just sitting at home and training but now I have the opportunity to lend a hand and help those who really need it. During this particular time there are people out there that really do need our help,” he said.
Details: Wayne Boardman 084 545 1717.
