Volunteers surpass Rise Against Hunger’s 30 000-meal target

Anneke Senekal from Rise Against Hunger said the meals will support Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres across Gauteng through the organisation’s ECD Connect Programme.

December 10, 2025

Ntombikayise Letlepo 2 minutes read

Wayne Mckenzie and Antoinette Iglauer formed part of the volunteers who enthusiastically helped pack the 33 000 meals.

A remarkable show of teamwork saw about 100 volunteers from various organisations in Benoni and Boksburg exceed Rise Against Hunger’s target of packing 30 000 meals, sealing an impressive 33 000 meals in just two hours.

The volunteers from The Humanity Foundation, RySky Foundation, Urban Ruins, Kuselo, a local Scout group and Belvedere School, gathered at the school’s premises on November 29.

Positioned at various workstations, they worked swiftly, filling packets with rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a vitamin sachet before sealing, labelling and boxing them for distribution.

These dedicated volunteers made a difference by spending their morning packing meals for Rise Against Hunger.

Marilyn Smith and Winnie Thusi hold up a packet of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a vitamin sachet.

Anneke Senekal from Rise Against Hunger said the meals will support Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres across Gauteng through the organisation’s ECD Connect Programme.

“We get a lot of donations from corporates that help fund meals like the ones packed today. We had the ingredients, but we needed hands to convert those donations into meals, which is why we came to Belvedere School. They provided the venue, and together with the volunteers, helped assemble meals that will be distributed to ECD centres.”

Senekal said Rise Against Hunger supports over 385 ECD centres in areas including Alexandra, Benoni and Diepsloot, with additional branches in Cape Town and Durban. The programme primarily assists unregistered centres catering for children aged one to six.

“For every 20 children a centre has, we supply one box of meals every six weeks. Our team conducts assessments to determine whether the meals help them financially.

“Often, the money they save, they use to buy educational toys or to train teachers, all efforts aimed at helping them become registered with the Department of Social Development. Once a centre is registered, we move on to assist others,” Senekal explained.

Chrizanne Maritz of Belvedere School said they took part in the initiative because of their commitment to serving the community. She said they encouraged parents, the disciplinary committee and learners to join in the effort.

“Doing something for someone else is rewarding. Giving your time, which, in many cases, is as valuable as money, helps raise awareness and shows that small actions can make a big difference,” she said.

Pierre Marneweck, founder of The Humanity Foundation, said their participation aligns with the organisation’s central mission.

Carrying a heavy box with the food items to the truck are Busisiwe Mthimunye and Muziomuhle Thusi.

Owen Tait of the 2nd Boksburg Scout Group helps a volunteer carry boxes full of meals to the Rise Against Hunger truck.

“Our foundation is built on the principle of assisting other NPOs so they can continue doing what they do best, especially those working in GBV, ECDs and children’s homes. We are concerned about food scarcity and the vulnerability of young people. Partnering with Rise Against Hunger and Belvedere School to pack these meals ensures children are fed while they learn, and they are the future of this country,” he said.

Gallery: