Loaves & Fishes to benefit from fun run

The Loaves & Fishes Network has been chosen as this year’s beneficiary of the proceeds from the annual Daily Dispatch/Windmill Fun Run.

Loaves & Fishes founder Pateka Mtintsilana was the winner of the social entrepreneur category of the Business Women’s Association Regional Business Achievers’ Awards, to which the Daily Dispatch is media partner.

“Loaves & Fishes Network was brought to our attention through our association with ,” said the Daily Dispatch’s marketing manager, Suren Packery.

“We were very moved by the work that they do within the community and we are therefore honoured to continue to support them through the proceeds of the Daily Dispatch/Windmill Fun Run.”

Mtintsilana’s charity was chosen because of a broader commitment to the Business Women’s Association’s efforts to empower women and give back to the community.

“It’s going to expose us to more people. It will benefit us immensely. The thought of the Daily Dispatch doing this for us is unbelievable,” said Mtintsilana.

Loaves & Fishes supports 26 educare centres and 1500 children in Buffalo City Metro.

The charity supports underprivileged children and their parents by bridging the gap between what poor families are able to provide for their children, and their children’s needs.

It helps with the building of infrastructure and has programmes for the planting of vegetable gardens at educare centres. They also provide toys and food for these centres.

“We try to make the environment comfortable so that they can learn to be children again. We build an environment conducive to learning,” said Mtintsilana.

The fun run on September 20 at East London’s Orient Beach is expected to attract 3500 participants this year.

Last year R25000 worth of goods was handed over to King’s Children’s Home, which was the beneficiary of that fundraiser.