More than 60 Scouts, leaders, parents and supporters came together at 1st Table View Scouts on Wednesday 26 August, packing 10 152 nutritious meals in just one hour and 15 minutes.

The Rise Against Hunger Community Meal Packing Event brought together volunteers from four Scout groups in the Scouts South Africa Table Bay District – 1st Blaauwberg, 1st Bothasig, 1st Milnerton and host group 1st Table View.

Target smashed

The teams worked in a coordinated production line, measuring ingredients, sealing meal packs, labelling them and preparing boxes for distribution through Rise Against Hunger Africa.

The original target was 9 000 meals, but volunteers exceeded it by 1 152 meals.

Based on the final total, the meals are enough to feed 44 children every school day for an entire academic year.

The meals will be distributed to children in underserved communities through Rise Against Hunger Africa.

Putting service into action

For the Scouts, the evening was about more than reaching a number. It provided an opportunity for young people to experience how teamwork and community service can make a tangible difference.

Yolandé Young, assistant troop scouter at 1st Table View Scouts and event organiser, said she was proud of what the volunteers achieved.

“Scouting teaches young people to help other people at all times. This event allowed our Scouts to turn that promise into action,” she said.

“Seeing four Scout Groups unite in support of children they may never meet was a powerful reminder of what Scouting is all about.”

Young also thanked Gavin, Andile and Tasneem from Rise Against Hunger Africa for helping make the initiative possible.

She said every meal packed represented hope and an opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child.

The event demonstrated how young people and communities can work together to achieve a shared goal, with every meal pack contributing to efforts to address hunger.

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