In an effort to improve food security for students on the University of the Free State’s three campuses, the UFS has entered into a working relationship with the non-governmental organisation (NGO), Gift of the Givers. This partnership will see Qwaqwa Campus students receiving nutritional food parcels on a monthly basis. 

“Our students need to be educated on food security and what they can and cannot eat. This is done with the help of our dieticians who bring a wealth of expertise in this field,” said Annelize Visagie, Senior Officer: Food Environment. “Our partnership with Gift of the Givers to supply food to our No Student Hungry (NSH) recipients, came as a result of the work that they are already doing in the broader Qwaqwa community, where they have helped with boreholes to address the water crisis in the area.”

Making a difference

“This partnership addresses two of our six primary focus areas – hunger alleviation and provision of quality education,” said Hlengiwe Nkwanyana, Community Liaison Officer.

“We are aware of students who cannot afford nutritional food, but who are expected to do their best academically. We will be delivering 200 parcels every month throughout this year and we will review the programme in 2021,” she added. The first batch of food parcels was delivered on Thursday 13 February 2020. 

Gift of the Givers makes the difference by supplying more than 120 000 food parcels per year over seven countries; providing bursaries to university students and erecting school ablution facilities, among a host of support they provide to vulnerable individuals and communities.