Potch, Let’s Help Rotary Club Fill Jars of Hope for Mandela Day 2025
- Karen Scheepers
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
Every year, Mandela Day serves as a call to action, a reminder of how small acts of kindness can leave a lasting impact on others. In Potchefstroom, this call is met with compassion, generosity, and community spirit, as seen in initiatives like the Jar of Hope campaign. Backed by Rotary Potch-Mooi and King Edward Private School, this meaningful project returns in 2025 with a simple yet powerful goal: to provide hearty, nutritious meals to families in need, one jar at a time.
A Jar of Compassion, A Meal of Hope
The concept behind the Jar of Hope campaign is beautifully straightforward. Volunteers and donors come together to fill empty glass jars with shelf-stable food ingredients. Each completed jar is designed to feed eight people, creating a warm, home-cooked meal during difficult times. The campaign offers a way for everyone, no matter their means, to make a difference, reinforcing Nelson Mandela’s famous quote:
“There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.”
In the spirit of that ethos, the 2025 campaign is now calling on the Potchefstroom community to help gather the necessary ingredients. Whether you’re a student, parent, business owner, or retiree, there’s a way to contribute and bring hope to someone else’s dinner table.
What You Can Donate
To meet the needs of this year’s Jar of Hope, the following items are being collected:
Dry ingredients:
Rice
Lentils
Soup Mix
Soup Powder
Stock Cubes
Soya Mince
Containers:
Empty glass jars, such as 200g coffee jars or 750ml mayonnaise jars, are equally essential to the project’s success.
All donated ingredients will be packed into individual jars and distributed to local families who are struggling to put food on the table. Each jar offers a ready-made recipe, balanced for nutrition and ease of use.
Donations can be dropped off at:
234 Walter Sisulu Avenue, Potchefstroom
For those unable to deliver items themselves, a convenient collection option is available by contacting:
📞 082 803 9298
Looking Back: A Snapshot of 2024’s Impact
The 2024 edition of Jar of Hope exceeded expectations thanks to the incredible support of the Potchefstroom community:
810 jars were distributed, each feeding 8 people, which translated into 6,480 individual meals.
Additionally, bulk products (uncounted in jars) provided another 2,960 meals, bringing the total meals distributed to a staggering 9,440.
These figures are more than numbers, they represent full stomachs, smiling children, and families who felt seen and supported in a time of need. With the right momentum, 2025 can surpass those numbers and touch even more lives.
Why It Matters
In a world where food insecurity remains a critical issue, especially among vulnerable populations, community-led projects like Jar of Hope are vital. They not only address immediate needs but also foster a sense of unity and shared responsibility. By involving schools, service clubs like Rotary, and the general public, this campaign becomes more than a charity drive, it becomes a movement of local goodwill and action.
How You Can Get Involved
Donate ingredients or jars, as listed above.
Encourage your workplace, school, or church group to organize a mini-collection drive.
Volunteer your time to help with jar packing or distribution.
Spread the word on social media or within your neighborhood.
One Jar at a Time, One Heart at a Time
As Mandela Day 2025 approaches, the Potchefstroom community is once again invited to unite behind a cause that truly matters. With the support of Rotary Potch-Mooi and King Edward Private School, Jar of Hope offers an opportunity for each of us to contribute something simple yet profoundly impactful. Whether it's a bag of lentils, a reused jar, or a few hours of your time, your contribution can help turn hunger into hope.
Let’s show the power of community. Let’s show the power of Potch.
Let’s help Rotary Club make a difference, one jar at a time.
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