WATCH: Springbok legends unite to fight hunger
Although not a registered non-profit organisation, that does not stop them from trying their best to help where they can
What started as one person wanting to make a difference with one cup of pap and a packet of soup, has grown to a group of people handing out food, toys, clothes and books to almost 2 000 hungry and destitute people across Gauteng in the past eight weeks.
On Friday, 15 May, the organisation visited the Roodepoort CBD as well as the old Roodepoort Rugby Club premises, which is now a pre-school for the under-privileged children in the area, and handed out almost two tons of food.
Wayne Boardman, former Sharks and Stormers Super Rugby lock, who is the founder of the initiative said, “Because these are actually soup kitchens that provide meals, we supplied them with food in bulk, comprising mielie meal, Russian sausages, soups, bread, nutrimeals for kids, canned foods, etc. We delivered about two tons of food between the two drop-off points in Roodepoort.
We deliver about four tons of food on average per week, and about 1 600 individuals are being provided with food for around five days.”
Other rugby legends, including former Springbok scrumhalf, David von Hoesslin, former 1995 World Cup winner Joel Stransky, former 2007 World Cup winner John Smit as well as 2019 World Cup winner Trevor Nyakane helped to deliver the supplies.
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Wayne said, “People are destitute, so one can really see the appreciation and gratitude in their eyes. It is humbling to be part of this initiative, knowing that we have alleviated some of the stress of hunger.”
Although not a registered non-profit organisation, that does not stop them from trying their best to help where they can. “It started on a whim, and after seeing the response of my first donation, I reached out to my community and neighbours in my complex for a small donation.
This quickly grew into something bigger as more people and corporations came aboard. The giving spirit of the public is just phenomenal. We operate on trust and donations of food and/ or money; however, we do keep a strict record of all finances coming in and all finances going out,” Wayne explained.
“We started out by helping communities close by, such as those in Sunninghill, Paulshof and Fourways, but we started receiving requests from people all over. One particular request came from Munsieville near Krugersdorp.
We are also assisting people in Sandton (Delta Park), Midrand (Ivory Park), and now Roodepoort,” he said.He concluded by saying, “I think right now any donations, whether cash or food, are very welcome. The longer the donations come in, the longer we can keep up the good work.”
Anyone who wishes to get involved can contact Wayne Boardman on 084 545 1717.
