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Neighbors' Pantry: keep the shelves full this harvest gap

The Neighbors' Pantry pantry in Johannesburg is running low just as demand rises; $700 will stock it for 10 weeks.

🇿🇦 South Africa412 views
Karin T. Ndlovu
Email verified
Johannesburg
Since 2022, our volunteer team has run Neighbors' Pantry every Wednesday from the back of a community center. We started with 16 families, and now we feed 100 each week. Donations have dropped by about 37% this harvest gap, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 18 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Johannesburg market and keep every receipt. Each $15 feeds a family of four for a week. All of the funds go to groceries, fresh produce, and cold-storage costs. Where the $700 goes: • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $300 • Fresh vegetables and fruit: $240 • Baby formula and diapers: $115 • Refrigeration and electricity: $45 Even a small gift gets used right away and I'll thank you myself.

Updates from Karin

  1. Small update. $157 so far, the first invoice got paid this week.

  2. We're at 5% thanks to 2 of you. we've booked the dates and paid the deposit. More news soon.

  • Emilio J. Flores 🇪🇸 · $25

    “Stay strong. My mother told me about this one.”

  • Anonymous 🇮🇳 · $10
  • Autumn R. Andrews 🇺🇸 · $10
  • David Brian Kipchoge 🇺🇬 · $10
  • Heloísa Carolina Rodrigues 🇧🇷 · $100

    “Hope you get the rest soon. - Santos”

  • Queen Wunmi Bankole 🇳🇬 · $27
  • Rolando M. Castillo 🇵🇭 · $10

    “Stay strong. Hope the November deadline works out.”

Reviews

3.0(17 reviews)

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

  • Rasha Soliman🇸🇦Verified helper
    Outstanding person

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

  • Malsha Fernando🇱🇰Verified donor
    Reliable and compassionate

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    Honest and trustworthy

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    Would recommend to anyone

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  • Gopal Sherpa🇳🇵Verified donor
    Delivered on promises

    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.

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    Outstanding person

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    Amazing support system

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    Trustworthy helper

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    Trustworthy helper

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    Made a real difference

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  • Teresa Espinoza🇪🇸Verified donor
    Genuine person with a big heart

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

  • Konstantin Fedorov🇷🇺Verified donor
    Went above and beyond

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    Outstanding person

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  • Víctor L. Montes🇪🇸Verified helper
    Helped when no one else could

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Tigist Teshome🇪🇹Verified donor
    Really cared about my situation

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  • Nyambura Ngowi🇰🇪Verified donor
    Patient and understanding

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  • Dominik König🇩🇪Verified helper
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Questions & comments

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  • Will you pay the wholesaler directly?

    • Karin T. NdlovuOwnerAnswer

      I pay the wholesaler and post the receipt here so you can see where it went. It helps to be asked.

  • Thinking of you. Looking forward to the next update. The breakdown of costs made it easy to trust. Love from Thủ Đức

    • Thomas BurkeQuestion

      has the shopping receipts been checked by the HelpBLESS team?

      • Karin T. NdlovuOwnerAnswer

        I do, the shopping receipts is with the HelpBLESS team. Happy to answer anything else about it. Ask me anything else.

    • rooting for you, Karin. Hope this works out for you. Blessings

      • thanks for sharing this, Karin. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Our whole street has been following this since the weekend. Greetings from Caloocan.

        • Good luck, Karin. I hope things turn around soon.

          $192 raised of $700

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