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Gift of the Givers nutrition packs ensuring that no student goes hungry during lockdown

16 July 2021 | Story Nonsindiso Qwabe

Givers_web read more — UFS Qwaqwa Campus social worker, Selloane Phoofolo, and primes and deputy primes of female residences on the campus.

Food insecurity is one of the greatest plagues that students face during their academic careers at university.

A working relationship between national non-governmental organisation (NGO) Gift of the Givers and the No Student Hungry (NHS) office on the Qwaqwa Campus has provided students with nutritional care as they navigate the difficulties brought on by the pandemic.

A little goes a long way

The NGO has been delivering nutritional food parcels for more than a year, with the first batch having been delivered in February 2020. The partnership was again renewed for 2021. Two hundred food parcels were meant to be delivered on a monthly basis, but are currently delivered on request, says Qwaqwa Campus social worker, Selloane Phofoolo. The parcels last a few months, before the next call is made for more. “We are so lucky that Gift of the Givers has continued their partnership with us this year. Without their support we would have struggled, especially during this pandemic. They are always just a call away.”

Phoofolo said the NHS was relying mainly on the food parcels to cater for students, as no other collection drives have been possible to sustain since the lockdown began. She said in 2020, shortly after the lockdown began, they were flooded with requests for food. Since then, students have been able to collect the food parcels from Protection Services on campus. This year, requests surged again in March and April 2021 when the academic calendar kicked off. She lauded Protection Services for their dedicated efforts to ensure that students receive food parcels seamlessly while the campus remains inaccessible to most.

“We have a significant number of students who are really lacking; so, while we subject them to a vetting process, each case has its own merits because some are really compelling and dire since everyone is going through a difficult time.”

Female residences donate sanitary towels to NHS recipients

She said another kind gesture that landed on the NHS’ doorstep was a generous donation of sanitary towels collected by primes and deputy primes from female residences on campus. Phoofolo said the donation came as a welcome surprise. “We are very grateful for the sanitary towels. Now every female student who collects a food parcel also receives a pack of sanitary towels.”

“Everyone is going through a difficult time and despite the pandemic, we are happy to see the passion for students and dedication to Ubuntu prevailing,” she said.

News Archive

Bloem Campus to host Color Run on 27 February 2016

2016-02-15

Two in millions: 2015 Color Runners doused and dressed in colours of the rainbow.
Photo: The Color Run photographer

Unleash your inner sparkle at The Color Run’s Varsity Tour. The University of the Free State is a proud host of the 2016 Bloemfontein edition. Be counted among the 5 million Color Runners worldwide who walk, skip, shimmy, or hop for five kilometres in the name of fun and charity.

The Color Run is the largest series of events in the world promoting healthiness and happiness. Arina Engelbrecht, Chief Officer at the Health and Wellness Centre, believes that “active people are happy people.” Consequently, she encourages students, staff members, and the community to join in the festivities.

Run to make a difference

Wearing white and being doused from head to toe in the colours of the rainbow while exercising is a very different way of extending a helping hand to those in need. For every ticket sold, R10 will be donated to the No Student Hungry campaign by The Color Run and Capitec Bank.

After running through four colour stations, a spectacular show awaits you at the finish line. The Finish Festival is a combination of colour throws, rainbows, glitter, music, and dancing.

The Color Run takes place on:

Date: 27 February 2016
Time: 16:00
Place: Cricket Grounds, Bloemfontein Campus.

Tickets are available online: www.thecolorrun.co.za at R250 for the public, R190 for students, including a goodie bag, or R90 without a goodie bag. Children under 10 years of age enter free. You will receive a R200 coupon to spend on The Color Run goodies or any product of your choice. Goodie bags may be collected at the Cricket Grounds from 25 February 2016.

For more information, contact hello@thecolorrun.co.za.

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