East London’s hungry to benefit from R500,000 donation



Members of the Grandad's Army prepare to distribute R60,000 worth of groceries to three local organisations in need
Members of the Grandad's Army prepare to distribute R60,000 worth of groceries to three local organisations in need
Image: SUPPLIED

Hoping to help fight the hunger crisis brought on by the coronavirus, the Eyabantwana Trust has allocated R500,000 of its funding to feed children and families in need.

Handing over R60,000 worth of groceries to three  organisations on Wednesday, the trust plans to run its hunger relief programme for the next six months, offering assistance to different organisations in East London each month.

The Kings Children’s Home, Helping Those in Need and Breath of Life are the first three organisations to benefit from the programme.

Through these NPOs, the Eyabantwana Trusts first batch of grocery donations will assist more than 60 babies, young children and 220 families in need of food.

In the wake of this international pandemic, it become a  reality that so many starving children and young families would be affected by the lockdown regulations

“In the wake of this international pandemic, it become a  reality that so many starving children and young families would be affected by the lockdown regulations, over and above the current hunger crisis in SA.

“The Eyabantwana Trust is a non-profit organisation which provides support to the East London Paediatric Surgical Services at both Frere and Cecilia Makiwane hospitals. With the focus remaining on children, the trustees of the organisation agreed to adjust their objectives to accommodate the wider community in East London who are desperate for food,” Eyabantwana Trust spokesperson Trystan Viaene said.

Viaene said the trust had used funds from their annual fundraiser, the Grandad’s Army Memorial Ride, which took place early in March, for the programme.

“The Grandad’s Army are in full support of this campaign, and have volunteered to assist with the purchase of these goods, creation of food parcels and delivery of these items to those in need.

“The Grandad’s Army are an incredible part of the Eyabantwana Trust family, and it is because of their efforts that our organisation is in a position to help those in need during this time,” Viaene said.

She said the trust planned to help as many organisations as possible. .

“We don’t have a target so we’re just going to try to go as far as that R500,000 can get us.

We are hoping to save as many children and young families as we possibly can from starvation during this pandemic,

“We are hoping to save as many children and young families as we possibly can from starvation during this pandemic,” Viaene said.

She said the programme was only set to run for six months but would be extended if more funding was received.

Marion Peake, co-founder of Helping Those in Need, said the organisation would be using the donation to help feed foreign nationals who had not qualified for vouchers or any relief.

“We are blessing more than 200 families. They are not from SA and have no IDs to apply (for relief). They are overlooked but they have children to feed and can only return to work at lockdown Level 1,” Peake said.

“This donation has shown great honour to all, irrespective of race or nationality. Today is just another sign of how East London organisations are paying it forward.”

Tracy King, founder of the Kings Childrens Home, said she was grateful to the Eyabantwana Trust for their generous donation of food.

“It is uplifting to see how the East London community is standing together to help each other in this crisis. We are honoured to be on the front line serving the orphaned and vulnerable children of our city. 

“Thank you to everyone who has contributed to help keep our childrens tummies full. You are our heroes,” said King.


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