This GivingTuesday, SA Harvest, South Africa’s leading food rescue organisation, is excited to announce the launch of its Virtual Food Pantry, a digital initiative designed to provide meals, restore dignity, and empower communities. The campaign kicks off on GivingTuesday – 3 December – and invites everyone to play a role in creating a hunger-free South Africa.
SA Harvest aims to deliver 300,000 nutritious meals to families in need by raising R270 000 this GivingTuesday. Through the Virtual Food Pantry, anyone can help to fill SA Harvest’s pantry by making a donation of any size. Every contribution, no matter the size, fuels SA Harvest’s ongoing mission to eradicate hunger through sustainable solutions such as food rescue. The campaign runs from GivingTuesday on 3 December for 10 days to 13 December.
Donation of milk to a school in Missionvale, Eastern Cape
A digital platform for real-world impact
The Virtual Food Pantry is more than a fundraiser – it’s a call to action. Donors can choose from a variety of giving levels, with each donation contributing directly to providing healthy meals and empowering local communities. From a one-time donation of R20, which feeds a family of four for two days; to a donation of R1,000, which translates to three months of nutritious meals; to a recurring monthly donation making an ongoing impact, supporters can make a tangible difference.
“Our Virtual Food Pantry is a creative way to engage donors and demonstrate how their contributions make a real impact,” said Alan Browde, CEO and founder of SA Harvest. “We’re using this GivingTuesday to bring South Africans together, uniting around a common goal: to fight hunger and uplift those in need.”
Nutritious vegetables are a staple of SA Harvest’s rescued donations
Why GivingTuesday matters
GivingTuesday is a global movement that encourages people and organisations to come together and give back to their communities. This year, SA Harvest is leveraging the momentum of GivingTuesday to highlight the urgent issue of hunger in South Africa and rally support for long-term, sustainable solutions.
SA Harvest’s approach goes beyond food delivery – it focuses on restoring dignity, empowering communities, and building resilience. Each donation through the Virtual Food Pantry helps fund SA Harvest’s critical work, rescuing food, reducing waste, and advocating for a more equitable food system.
How to get involved
There are several ways to support SA Harvest’s GivingTuesday campaign:
- Donate: Visit the Virtual Food Pantry and make a donation that will provide meals to those in need. Donors can choose a one-time gift on the BackaBuddy site or set up a recurring donation to ensure continuous support through SA Harvest’s website.
- Share the message: Help SA Harvest spread the word. Share the Virtual Food Pantry campaign with your network on social media, via email, or through WhatsApp.
- Become a recurring donor: Extend the spirit of GivingTuesday by becoming a recurring donor. Monthly gifts help SA Harvest maintain a consistent, sustainable impact.
Nutritious ingredients rescued by SA Harvest are converted into nourishing meals by beneficiary organisations
A mission driven by stories and community
Throughout the campaign, SA Harvest will share stories from the communities they serve, showing the real impact of every contribution. Supporters can follow the campaign’s progress through regular updates on social media, track the total funds raised, and see the difference they’re making.
“Every meal you help provide is a step toward a brighter future for our communities,” said Browde. “Together, we can make a tangible difference and ensure that no one in South Africa goes hungry.”
Join SA Harvest this GivingTuesday!
To make your donation to the Virtual Food Pantry, go to our crowdfunding campaign page and watch how your donation helps us reach our target of 300,000 meals!
Varied donations of vegetables from the OneFarm Share programme and other SA Harvest donors