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Feed 251 families each week at the Harvest Pantry in Johannesburg

Tshepo runs a volunteer pantry feeding 251 families; this fund restocks shelves for the summer.

πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦ Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa1,089 views
Tshepo E. Venter
Email verified
Johannesburg
Since 2021, our volunteer team has run the Harvest Pantry every Saturday from the back of the mosque courtyard. We started with 27 families, and now we feed 251 each week. Donations have dropped by about 40% this summer, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 17 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Johannesburg market and keep every receipt. Each $5 feeds a family of four for a week. I'll post the weekly shopping receipts and a photo of the shelves each Sunday. Where the $800 goes: β€’ Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $350 β€’ Fresh vegetables and fruit: $220 β€’ Baby formula and diapers: $110 β€’ Refrigeration and electricity: $120 With deep gratitude, Tshepo
#food-pantry#hunger#volunteer-led#food

Updates from Tshepo

  1. Good news. Because of your gifts ($321 in total) I met with the wholesaler and confirmed the amounts. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  2. Thank you all. We're at 20% now ($160). I'm honestly stunned. we've booked the dates and paid the deposit.

  3. Good news. Because of your gifts ($110 in total) we've booked the dates and paid the deposit. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely. - Tshepo

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Bolaji Samuel Oladipo πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬ Β· $5
  • Mateo T. Espinoza πŸ‡²πŸ‡½ Β· $41

    β€œRooting for you. Hope you get the rest soon. - Oaxaca de JuΓ‘rez”

  • Fernando K. SΓ‘nchez πŸ‡¨πŸ‡΄ Β· $50
  • Teresa W. Caldwell πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Β· $50

    β€œBlessings. My colleague told me about this one. - Aurora”

  • Olivia Mitchell πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Β· $25
  • Heather M. Thompson πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Β· $49
  • Kiprop Tembo πŸ‡°πŸ‡ͺ Β· $20
  • Brooklyn W. Pierce πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ Β· $50
  • Isaiah E. Jensen πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Β· $17

    β€œWish I could do more. From Kelowna with love. - Kelowna”

  • Nevaeh Bennett πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Β· $50
  • Nuria F. Rangel πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Β· $50

    β€œHappy to help. Thought of Tshepo all day after reading this.”

  • Romeo G. Francisco πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­ Β· $25
  • Sarah Fatuma Rashidi πŸ‡°πŸ‡ͺ Β· $25

    β€œPraying for you. Saw your post and had to give. - Thika”

  • Camille W. Marquez πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­ Β· $10

Reviews

3.2(6 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Fabrice Nathan GarciaπŸ‡«πŸ‡·Verified helper
    Exactly what I needed

    I was nervous about reaching out, but this person made me feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction. Their help was invaluable.

  • Janet Ernestina AnnanπŸ‡¬πŸ‡­Verified donor
    Great help in a difficult time

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

  • Idowu Folake RajiπŸ‡³πŸ‡¬Verified helper
    Patient and understanding

    This is what community support looks like. They didn't just offer generic advice; they provided personalized help tailored to my specific situation.

  • Hailu Biniam GebreπŸ‡ͺπŸ‡ΉVerified donor
    Delivered on promises

    Couldn't have asked for better support. They listened carefully, understood my situation deeply, and provided thoughtful advice that actually worked. Thank you so much.

  • Asma Rima KassemπŸ‡«πŸ‡·Verified donor
    Would recommend to anyone

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

  • Nihal HΓΌlya ŞahinπŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺVerified helper
    Outstanding person

    I had a complex problem and this person helped me navigate it step by step. Their expertise combined with their kindness made all the difference.

Questions & comments

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  • Moumita Tahmina SarkerQuestion

    Is there a list of costs somewhere? Just curious how it adds up for Tshepo

    • Tshepo E. VenterOwnerAnswer

      It's all in the list in the story. rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale) is the big one at $350, I'll post a receipt when it's paid. Thanks for looking so closely.

  • Ruma Fatema SenVerified organization

    Take care, Tshepo. Your post was clear and honest. We're a small family in Nizamabad but we're thinking of you

    • Brian K. O'Dwyer

      Sending strength. Projects like this are what make a place worth living in. Love from San Antonio.

      • Sebastian Maciej Wojciechowski

        Hope things get better soon. Hope the build day goes well, wish I lived closer. Put this on a community board in Obuasi this morning. Love from Obuasi.

        • Idris Abdullah ZerroukiID verified

          Stay strong. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Thinking of Johannesburg

          $467 raised of $800

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