Not your average holiday activity
Ethan Rottcher opened his heart to the children of White River as part of Uplands College's Courageous Challenge.
See a need, fill a need. This is the principle that charity organisation Feed the Need is based upon.
Johan Maritz had the idea in 2020 to start a soup kitchen that runs once a month for anyone in the community who wanted a warm bowl of food. But lockdown struck and many charities came to a standstill. This, however, did not halt Feed the Need.
In lockdown it was apparent that members of the public were struggling to keep their heads above water.
“We started on April 14 and handed out 450 food parcels every single day,” Maritz said. He said it did not matter what your socio-economic background was, anyone was welcome to come and collect a parcel.
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Today, 120 families are helped through the project. Seventy five children also form part of their feeding scheme and receive a bumper-packed box at the end of the month. It includes toiletries like toothpaste, body soap, toilet paper, and also some food and fruit items to keep their tummies full, and sweets to keep the sweet tooth satisfied.
Ethan Rottcher, an Uplands Prep Grade Five learner, packed sweet packs for the next children’s lunchbox drop. He mentioned that it was not a hassle for him and that he felt normal doing it.
“I also felt proud of myself. It makes me feel good.”
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At Uplands, every learner, from Grade Five all the way to the matriculants, needs to have 12 hours of community service under their belt before the end of October. The Courageous Challenge is part of the Grade Fives’ community project, which aims to teach them to reinvest back into their communities.
Ethan kicked off his challenge helping Feed the Need. It only took him about an hour and a half to pack all 75 packs, which leaves him with 10 and a half hours to engage in more community efforts.
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For Ethan it was not solely about doing the task and getting it done. “He doesn’t complain. He does it with a good heart,” his mother, Janette Rottcher, said. “I’m very proud of him.”
His grandmother, Jane Rottcher, has been involved with Maritz at Feed the Need, and is one of the reasons he decided to help.
“I have a lot of respect for Ethan. It takes a special kind of person to plough back,” said Maritz.
The next lunchbox drop will take place on April 20.
