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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.

๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa1,090 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: โ€ข Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $350 โ€ข Fresh vegetables and fruit: $220 โ€ข Baby formula and diapers: $110 โ€ข Refrigeration and electricity: $120 With deep gratitude, Tshepo

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

  • Fernando K. Sรกnchez ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด ยท $50
  • Teresa W. Caldwell ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $50

    โ€œBlessings. My colleague told me about this one. - Auroraโ€

  • Brooklyn W. Pierce ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง ยท $50
  • Nevaeh Bennett ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $50
  • Nuria F. Rangel ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $50

    โ€œHappy to help. Thought of Tshepo all day after reading this.โ€

  • Heather M. Thompson ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $49
  • Mateo T. Espinoza ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ ยท $41

    โ€œRooting for you. Hope you get the rest soon. - Oaxaca de Juรกrezโ€

  • Olivia Mitchell ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $25
  • Romeo G. Francisco ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ ยท $25
  • Sarah Fatuma Rashidi ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ช ยท $25

    โ€œPraying for you. Saw your post and had to give. - Thikaโ€

  • Kiprop Tembo ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ช ยท $20
  • Isaiah E. Jensen ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ยท $17

    โ€œWish I could do more. From Kelowna with love. - Kelownaโ€

  • Camille W. Marquez ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ ยท $10
  • Bolaji Samuel Oladipo ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $5

Reviews

3.2(6 reviews)

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

  • Fabrice Nathan Garcia๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ทVerified 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 Annan๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ญVerified 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 Raji๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌVerified 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 Gebre๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡นVerified 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 Kassem๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ทVerified 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 Hรผlya ลžahin๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ชVerified 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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  • 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

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

      • 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.

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

          $467 raised of $800

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