Giving back through Loaf Day
All you need do is buy a couple of loaves of bread, cut them in half, and give them to people in need
In April this year, two residents, Jen McBean and Paul Smulders, started an initiative, where they they try to give back to those in need once a week. They named this initiative Loaf Day, and it has now spread like wildfire across the country.
Wednesday was renamed Loaf Day, and it started out as a two person caring project when Jen and Paul decided to give back to the community by offering something they need the most. “We decided to do something helpful and give food out to the poor, by giving them a half loaf every Wednesday, and we called it Loaf Day. It gave us so much pleasure to see the smiles on their faces when they receive food, we wanted to share that feeling with the community,” Jen explained.
The #LoafDay Facebook page was launched in October, with the goal to try and get more people to buy into the project. But, how do you support this initiative? It is quite simple, you just buy two loaves of bread, or even more, and divide each loaf in half to give one half loaf to a person in need. Each person who joins in on the day can do it on their own time, and it does not necessarily have to be on Wednesdays.
Just one month after announcing Loaf Day on Facebook, 1 900 people countrywide have pledged to Loaf Day, with the goal to help feed the hungry tummies, which means more than 7 000 loaves go out every week, country wide. “It doesn’t only have to be a loaf, you can add more to the loaf, for example a bottle of water or a fruit,” said Paul.
People and businesses are also pledging loaves to schools every Wednesday. Now every Wednesday, 30 loaves are also being delivered to Curamus School for Autism in Krugersdorp. Some of the local Spar and markets have also pledged to Loaf Day by selling loaves for R6 or less.
“This project would not have the success it has if it was not for each and every one of the members and people out there who are trying to help, and I thank you for all your support shown,” Paul said.
Any one can join Loaf Day by giving someone you pass by on the street half a loaf one day a week. You can join the #LoafDay page, where you can pledge a donation, or contribute in many other ways.
“No financial donations (money) will be accepted. For corporate companies or people who wish to get involved financially, such would be done directly with the bread suppliers,” Paul concluded.
Corporate companies that would like to get involved, or any people requiring information can email Paul Smulders on paulsmulders3@gmail.com or email Jen McBean on jen.sue@mweb.co.za.
Give a loaf, give a smile.
