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Feed 308 families each week at Open Hands Pantry in Pretoria

Brandon runs a volunteer pantry feeding 308 families; this fund restocks shelves for the summer.

🇿🇦 Pretoria, Gauteng, South AfricaPosted Oct 1, 20261,128 views
Brandon Tshabalala
Email verifiedDriver licence verified
Member since Sep 28, 2026 · Pretoria
Since 2022, our volunteer team has run Open Hands Pantry every Thursday from the back of the mosque courtyard. We started with 18 families, and now we feed 308 each week. Donations have dropped by about 45% this summer, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 6 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Pretoria market and keep every receipt. Each $10 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 $550 goes: • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $210 • Fresh vegetables and fruit: $100 • Baby formula and diapers: $165 • Refrigeration and electricity: $75 If you're reading this, thank you. - Brandon

Updates from Brandon

  1. Good news. Because of your gifts ($60 in total) the plan for fresh vegetables and fruit is now scheduled. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  2. Good news. Because of your gifts ($114 in total) we've booked the dates and paid the deposit. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  3. Quick update: $124 raised so far (22%). we've booked the dates and paid the deposit. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

  • Hiba Aisha Nasser 🇪🇬 · $10 · 2h ago
  • Mónica E. Cordero 🇺🇸 · $50 · 2h ago

    “Take care of yourselves. Only $50 but hope it helps. - Ann Arbor”

  • Urvashi B. Kothari 🇮🇳 · $25 · 2h ago
  • Jepkoech Mercy Musyoka 🇺🇬 · $18.50 · 2h ago
  • Maricel J. Hernandez 🇵🇭 · $10 · 2h ago
  • Almaz Kassa 🇪🇹 · $10 · 2h ago
  • Kannan D. Gounder 🇮🇳 · $30 · 2h ago

    “Take care of yourselves - Howrah”

  • Musa Ikenna Bello 🇳🇬 · $92 · 2h ago
  • Teresa Russell 🇺🇸 · $30 · 2h ago

Questions & comments

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  • Mangesh L. DoshiQuestion2h ago

    Is there anything that isn't money that would help Brandon?

    • Brandon TshabalalaOwnerAnswerID verified2h ago

      Thank you. If you're in Pretoria I'll say if something practical comes up. For now sharing this is great. Thanks for asking.

  • Hope things get better soon, Brandon. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. Love from Medellín.

    • More neighborhoods should do this. Love from Heliopolis

      $275.50 raised of $550

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