Thousands of volunteers rolled up their sleeves at DHL Stadium in Cape Town today (17 July) as hunger relief organisation Ladles of Love, kicked off its annual Hands-On Heroes campaign in honour of Mandela Day.

The event saw participants spend 67 minutes assembling nutrition boxes, making educational toys, colouring books and seed boxes that will benefit children at early childhood development (ECD) centres and community farmers across South Africa.

The campaign aims to mobilise South Africans to support the nutrition and education of 20 000 young children attending preschools in under-resourced communities.

Four volunteer sessions were hosted throughout the day, allowing individuals, families and corporate groups to take part in the large-scale community initiative.

Ladles of Love founder Danny Diliberto, encouraged South Africans to continue supporting the campaign, with tickets still available for the Johannesburg event at the Expo Centre on Wednesday 22 July.

“We hope to attract 12 000 people across the Cape Town and Johannesburg events,” he said.

For those unable to attend either event, Ladles of Love is also offering “Create Your Own” volunteer kits, which can be ordered for delivery anywhere in South Africa between today and Friday 31 July, allowing people to participate from home or the workplace.

“Choose to be kind, this world needs more kindness. The more kindness we share the better the world will be,” said Diliberto.

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