This Mandela Day, 18 July 2022, Ladles of Love has not only smashed a world record – but more importantly – can feed those facing food insecurity, with the money raised as well as the tins of food and fresh nutritious meals made and collected on the day While this was a huge undertaking, the organisation works tirelessly all year long, supplying a million nourishing meals a month to communities in need.
Enthusiastic volunteers and concerned corporates converged at Cape Town’s International Convention Centre and Johannesburg’s Nelson Mandela Square, to set a new record for the world’s largest mosaic created entirely out of cans of food.
The event was an unprecedented success, with volunteers who donated time and money pitching in to bring the food-can mosaic to life and honour Madiba’s legacy to take action against poverty and hunger.
“We started so small. While walking, I encountered a homeless man wrapped in an old duvet. He was angry at the world, shouting and swearing. I offered him something to eat. The man stopped screaming, said thank you and was gone. The world is a different place when you are hungry. A basic need was met, and dignity restored – even just for a moment. At that moment Ladles of Love was born, and today eight years later we have grown exponentially – as has the hunger situation in our country, unfortunately.
Today was huge, and the spirit of Ubuntu in both cities was incredible. We placed around 90 000 food cans on the mosaic across the two cities and we’ve raised so much in terms of actual food and support to carry on with our mission to feed as many people as we can, and we cannot thank those that got involved enough” says Danny Diliberto, Founder and CEO of Ladles of Love.
The attempt was hosted in two of South Africa’s major cities to provide multiple ways for individuals and businesses to volunteer their 67+ minutes or donate to the cause.
The facts:
- Two world records smashed: the biggest mosaic in the world of 500 square-metres and the biggest flag mosaic in the world of around 300 square-metres.
- Cape Town saw 56 685 food cans placed on the Madiba mosaic with Johannesburg seeing 32 040 food cans placed on the South African flag mosaic.
- There was 2500kg of veggies chopped and donated in Cape Town and 1300kg chopped and donated in Johannesburg.
- A total of 55 000 sandwiches were made with 24 000 made on site in Cape Town, and 7000 made in Johannesburg (as many were made off site and donated).
Ladles of love would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the people and businesses that stepped up to smash not one but two world records, all while addressing the alleviation of hunger.
The event also succeeded in supporting these UN Goals:
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 2: Zero Hunger
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequality
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 15: Life on Land
- Goal 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goal
Also read:
Ladles of Love’s new Waste Kit to create an urban farming ecosystem
Picture: Innocent Bonolo
