Under this year’s Mandela Day theme, which is ‘It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity’, Epic Foundation is appealing to companies, organisations and members of the public to support its annual Comfort Pack Project.

The initiative, which runs from July 1 to 18, aims to provide practical assistance to survivors of gender-based violence, survivors of human trafficking, women and children arriving at shelters, and children preparing for court appearances.

The Comfort Packs contain essential toiletries and personal items that help survivors during the critical hours after reporting abuse at hospitals, crisis centres, or police stations.

Following medical examinations and statement taking, recipients can use the packs to clean up and regain a sense of dignity.

The project also recognises that clothing worn during an assault may need to be kept as forensic evidence, making the inclusion of clean underwear a particularly important part of each pack.

For women and children entering shelters, specially prepared bags contain enough toiletries to last about a month, helping families who often arrive with few or no personal belongings.

Survivors of human trafficking who have been rescued also receive these extended shelter packs.

Children facing court proceedings are supported with dedicated court-day backpacks filled with snacks, activities, and comfort items designed to help them cope with the long and often stressful hours spent at court.

The impact of the programme has grown steadily over the years, with 4 500 packs distributed in 2021, 4 956 in 2022, 5 275 in 2023, 6 010 in 2024 and 7 049 packs distributed during 2025.

The foundation is asking donors to contribute only new hygiene products for health and safety reasons, although used clothing in good condition is accepted.

Items needed for adult comfort packs

Each drawstring bag may include:

• Body lotion

• Bottled water

• Comb or hairbrush

• Face cloth and soap

• Hair clips and hairbands

• Lip balm or Vaseline

• A handwritten note with words of comfort

• Individually sealed sanitary towels

• Shampoo and conditioner

• Small notebook and pen

• Sweet treats

• Tissues

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• New underwear in all sizes (excluding G-strings and underwear with writing)

Items needed for children’s Comfort Packs

Children’s drawstring bags may include:

• Brown paper bag

• Bottled water or cooldrink

• Colouring book with crayons or colouring pencils

• Face cloth and soap

• Hairbrush

• Lip balm or Vaseline

• Plasters and surgical gloves

• Individually wrapped sanitary towels

• Small notebook and pen

• Soft toy

• Sweets and snacks such as chips

• Tissues and wet wipes

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• New underwear in all sizes

Shelter packs

Shelter packs for women, children and rescued survivors of human trafficking contain similar items but in quantities intended to last approximately one month.

The foundation is also seeking donations of handbags for women, backpacks for men and children’s backpacks for younger recipients.

Court-day packs for children

These backpacks help children attending court by including:

• Activity toys such as small Lego sets or puzzles

• Bottled water or cooldrink

• Colouring books and crayons or colouring pens

• Lip balm or Vaseline

• Notebook and pen

• Soft toy

• Snacks including sweets, biscuits and chips

• Tissues and wet wipes

Businesses are encouraged to collect the required items between 1 July and 18 July and use their 67 minutes on Mandela Day to pack the bags before delivering them to Epic Foundation’s Steeledale office.

The organisation also welcomes donations of additional items and can provide Section 18A tax certificates for qualifying contributions. Through the campaign, Epic Foundation hopes to transform simple acts of generosity into practical support, healing and renewed hope for thousands of vulnerable survivors.

For more information about the foundation, residents can email info@epicfoundation.org.za or visit their website EPIC Foundation.