The Ogle Foundation feeds the community on Mandela Day
The foundation came together to feed the poor in Harry Brown Park, and they also strive to reach out to the community in other ways.
On Mandela Day, the Ogle Foundation decided to reach out to any individual in the neighbourhood who was hungry.
Representatives from the foundation came together at Harry Brown Park to feed the community.
Patty Ogle, founder and owner of the foundation explained they have been feeding the community for the past six to seven years, every possible chance they get, saying they ‘try and just give back’.
She added they do not just feed people, they also collect food parcels for the hungry.
“Most people nowadays are so hungry, even if they have a roof over their head, they’re going to sleep without food. So we try and give them whether it’s a can of beans, or a can of pilchards, whatever it is, we just give that person some food. Sometimes I will buy a big 50kg maize and people come with plastic bags and I put scoops of maize in, just so that they can go and cook porridge,” said Patty.
She continued to say they also reach out to the community in other ways, for example, next week they will be going to a high school to hand out sanitary pads to girls. She explains this issue lies close to her heart, as so many people do not have the necessary knowledge about periods and many believe it’s a shame, yet every person exists because of it.
“Not all parents educate their children about periods,” she added and said they want to bridge that gap and take the stereotype out of it.
“I want to find someone to come to the schools with me to talk to the girls about hygiene, however, money is an issue as I can’t pay someone to do this.”
She began peeling vegetables on Saturday and made ‘the biggest pot of mielie pap’ with vegetable soup as well as tripe, which she began cooking on Sunday, as it takes a long time to soften. They also had another pot of pork, which they then handed out to community members. Even those driving by stopped to collect food, she says, because they only have enough money to go to work but not enough to eat.
“Giving to others lies close to my heart. I can’t live knowing there are two cans of food in my cupboard, while there is someone else asking for food.”
