Get involved on Mandela Day

OWN CORRESPONDENT

Union of Jewish Women: The UJW is collecting school bags and shoes to deliver to schools. Together with KosherWorld, it will be doing a drive-by donation. People can bring school bags, school shoes, and non-perishable items. They are looking for volunteers to help pack. Contact: 082 885 0800.

ORT SA: ORT will hold three different webinars: an introduction to Coding (STEM Academy), a work readiness course or similar (Skills Academy), and an ORT Jet business-orientated webinar – Kevin Factor on How to Sell Yourself. Contact: 084 355 0826. ORT SA is also partnering with Computerlab which, together with HP and other partners, has launched a device programme for the underprivileged. It will draw on expertise across these organisations to repair devices, as well as install software and sort out licensing. Donations can be made at www.ortsa.org.za/donations. Those who wish to donate digital devices can call Nelly at 011 728 7154, or email nelly@ortsa.org.za to arrange drop off.

Yad Aharon & Michael: The organisation is honouring Mandela Day with a “drop and go” from Monday, 20 July to Thursday 23 July. On those days, drop any kosher tinned food off with security (21 Main Street, Rouxville). All food will be given to Jewish families in need as part of Yad Aharon’s Free In-House Supermarket project.

Afrika Tikkun: Afrika Tikkun will be packing and distributing food parcels. You can prepare food parcels or cooked meals, and Afrika Tikkun will pick up and distribute them. It is also collecting blankets, scarves, and beanies for distribution. Contact: karabos@afrikatikkun.org, 072 153 5936 in Johannesburg, or anels@afrikatikkun.org, 079 582 5026 in the Western Cape.

Jewish Women’s Benevolent Society: The JWBS is collecting knitted squares to make blankets which are given to Warm the World to distribute. To donate squares or for more information, contact 011 485 5232.

Mensch Network: Mensch is holding an International Mandela Day Cook-A-Long Fundraiser. Join it on a South African flavour journey, cooking together to support hungry South African families who have been impacted by COVID-19. Cook with us, or just watch and enjoy! Sunday 26 July at 11:00. Bookings link: www.mensch.org.za/mandeladay

The Angel Network: The Angel Network is packing cosy comfort packs which include a sleeping bag, pillow, blanket, and porridge to be distributed to the homeless on Mandela Day. Each pack costs R300, and people are encouraged to donate. The banking reference is cosy pack. The Angel Network is also selling a four-pack of vegetable seeds for R23, and asking for donations so that they can be distributed to beneficiaries who are establishing vegetable gardens to become self-sufficient. The banking reference is surname/veggie. It’s running a sanitaryware drive, asking people to donate sanitary pads which will be distributed to thousands of young girls. The banking reference is surname/pads. A soup drive in which people can buy a 5kg soup mix for R66, and then make up 15 Ziplock bags which include a cup and a half of the soup mix with a soup cube and a packet of instant soup will be handed out on Mandela Day and beyond. The banking reference is surname/soup. The bank account for all these donations is: The Angel Network, FNB, 62726312391, code 250655, reference: surname/appeal.

SA Harvest and Chefs with Compassion: Are hosting a Mandela Day Cook-A-Thon, calling on all South Africans to join them in an incredible Mandela Day journey by helping Chefs with Compassion continue its work of providing meals to poverty-stricken communities in South Africa. Follow the #67000litres journey from 06:00 to 14:30 on Saturday, 18 August, on https://www.facebook.com/chefswithcompassion using the hashtags #67000litres #MandelaDay #chefswithcompassion #saharvest. All it takes is a donation of R10 per meal, less than the cost of a cappuccino. To donate R10 per meal, go to https://chefswithcompassion.org.za/67000-litres-for-mandeladay/.

One Bag Full: You can get involved in one of four ways. First: Sarmie and fruit challenge: spend 67 minutes making peanut butter and jam sandwiches for us to distribute in Langa on Sunday, 19 July. Second: Cupcake challenge: we are aiming to hand out 2 000 cupcakes. Handmade or store bought, we’ll take ‘em all. Third: Take part in our live workout with Springbok flyhalf Damian Willemse on Saturday, 18 July. Fourth: Donate: contribute to One Bag Full’s purchasing of meal packs and other essential items by donating at www.onebagfull.com/donate. Contact: 081 043 1719 or email hello@onebagfull.com