Cape Town charity raises awareness about food insecurity in the region.
Cape Town-based charity Ladles of Love has set out to break the World Record for the longest line of food cans. This event was due to happen on 18 July 2021, Mandela Day but due to Covid lockdown regulations couldn’t take place. It is now set to take place on Sunday 29 August 2021 at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town with strict Covid safety precautions in place.
The current Canadian-held record is 3.28km for 44 966 cans. The Ladles of Love target is 90 000 cans measuring 6.7kms long. The public is encouraged to still volunteer their time on the day, and help raise the food cans needed to not only break the World Record but break hunger around the peninsula.
Ladles of Love Founder, Danny Diliberto explains “Mandela Day, was once again commemorated in a Covid lockdown and we were deeply disappointed that our World Record attempt couldn’t take place on the day. But the consolation is that we’ve been given extra time to reach our goal of 90 000 food cans plus recruit new and old volunteers to join in on the day. And importantly have secured Coronation Fund Managers and the V&A Waterfront as headline event sponsors.”
He continues “The economic impact of this pandemic continues to rip through these already poor communities and the queues at our community kitchens are getting longer. Ladles of Love has served 19 million meals since the beginning of lockdown in 2020, we have families, the elderly and children all relying on us for their winter meals. So although this is set to be a fun day with our eyes firmly on smashing that world record, it is an important day for the thousands of people who receive a nutritious meal from their local soup kitchens.”
Last year, Ladles of Love broke the world record for the most sandwiches made in one hour. Volunteers from across the peninsula showed incredible generosity of spirit and a mind-boggling 304 000 homemade sandwiches were made in one hour, which were then distributed to communities in need. Diliberto says “It was a great way to fill an immediate need for food and raise funds for our ongoing food programmes. So, this year we need help to break another record! And all we need are 90 000 cans to do it!”
To take action against hunger the public can assist by:
1. Buy food cans at R100 for 5 or buy by the metre that will be sent directly to the line
2. Buy a volunteer slot to help Ladles of Love break the World Record
3. Walk the 6.7km line & support Ladles of Love
4. Make every day a Mandela Day & donate to the Ladles of Love feeding scheme
Wendy Bergsteedt, Group Head of Marketing and CSI at Coronation says “Coronation Fund Managers is proud and excited to be involved as headline sponsor in the Ladles of Love 6.7km can drive this world record attempt on 29 August. Our staff are already passionately involved in the pre-event collection of food cans and will be volunteering as marshalls and participants on the day. We appeal to the South African public to join us in supporting this amazing initiative by donating cans and walking the line on the day. Let’s all work together to see this record not only broken but smashed!”
She continues, “For us, it all comes down to supporting food security in South Africa, a critical issue that is very close to our hearts. Food is a basic human necessity and we believe that you can’t heal a hungry nation. During this challenging time for our country’s people, supporting food security also means supporting nation-building. So, our biggest objective at Coronation at this moment is to feed hundreds of thousands of families this winter. This is why we decided to support Ladles of Love, as well as many other food aid initiatives across South Africa. We are because of others and need to do what we can to support our communities.”
Diliberto says “Many acts of kindness create one huge impact of love. And I am committed to breaking the world record for ‘The Longest Line of Food Cans’. Together with help from my team at Ladles of Love, our generous sponsors and volunteers we will lay down 90 000 cans to raise food and money. If we achieve this, it means we can continue to feed people in need.”
V&A Waterfront CEO, David Green, adds “Food Security is a key dimension of our social impact strategy at The V&A Waterfront. We have huge respect for and value our long-term partnership with The Ladles of Love team, as a natural extension of our work to build a more sustainable, local, and ethical food system in Cape Town.”
This world record-breaking attempt gives everyone the opportunity to join the fight against hunger. And will be done with Covid-safety in mind. Foot-pedal sanitising stations, compulsory face-masks, and social distancing practices will all be followed and enforced throughout the day. And the 6.7-kilometre line, as well as allocated volunteer time-slots, provide adequate social distancing measures.
To participate in this event, visit www.webtickets.co.za
All inquiries to info@ladlesoflove.org.za or Find a Ladles of Love can drop-off depot on ladlesoflove.org.za
Non-perishable food cans (410-450g) such as lentils, beans, fish, soups, and vegetables would be appreciated.
Event Details:
DATE 29 August 2021
TIME 9h00-16h00
VENUE Noble Square, V&A Waterfront
COST Tickets start at R100, www.webtickets.co.za
