#Move4Food frees students from hunger

THE PUBLIC has until midday today to contribute to Stellenbosch University’s first 24-hour Campus Giving Day.

It forms part of the student-led #Move4Food campaign that aims to create food banks on Stellenbosch and Tygerberg campuses. It has the ambitious target of raising R10 million in 100 days in donations, in cash and goods, to ensure that no student goes hungry.

One of the university student societies, Engineers Without Borders Maties, was tasked with building a giant lunch box in the Neelsie last Monday. It will stay there till September 24 and anyone can donate non-perishable food items for the university’s food bank.

An authorised financial services provider, the PPS Foundation, has joined the university’s drive.

PPS Foundation executive head Vuyo Kobokoane said the organisation was aware of food scarcity among tertiary students. Through partnerships with universities, they had been exposed to numerous issues faced by students.

The PPS Foundation has partnered with Rise Against Hunger Africa (Raha). During an event held at their head office in Parktown, Joburg, PPS employees participated in a food packing event where 25 000 food packs were made up.

As a result of the activities, driven by the PPS Foundation’s Employee Volunteerism Programme, Stellenbosch University’s food bank has been identified as a beneficiary.

Through collaborative efforts with Raha and similar initiatives, the food packs will be distributed to academic institutions.

Some university residences were involved in a telethon to ask their residence’s alumni for support.

This evening there is a Koshuis Rugby Derby: Huis Marais vs Huis Visser; Dagbreek vs Wilgenhof; Eendrag vs Helshoogte; and Simonsberg vs Helderberg. The game kicks off at 5.15pm.

The university has also partnered with the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon to galvanise staff, students, alumni and friends to #Move4Food at the weekend.

Rector and vice-chancellor Wim de Villiers will run the full 42.2km marathon. Donations: https://www. givengain.com/activist/225926/ projects/17845/.