Students donate more than R600 000 in canned food for charity

Students at the North-West University’s Potchefstroom campus on Monday, 2 March, donated food items and non-perishables with an estimated value of R660 000 as part of this year’s Canned Food Day.

Canned Food Day, more popularly known as Blikkieskosdag, is an annual event hosted by the Student Rag Community Service portfolio of the NWU’s Student Campus Council (SCC: SRCS).

According to the SCC: SRCS chairperson, Ruandro Minnaar, the idea behind Blikkieskosdag is for NWU students to donate canned food, non-perishables, stationery and sanitary products – all in aid of charity.

“We motivate our students to donate these items in their respective residences and Academic Student Associations (ASA’s). The items will then be distributed and donated to our 80 charity projects and non-profit organisations across the North-West province. Students on campus who are in need also benefit,” Minnaar said. 

Apart from these 80 charity projects, Minnaar explained that as the SCC, they also identify other organisations and households in and around Potchefstroom, where there is a need for food and other necessities.

“When we are made aware of unfortunate incidents such as a house that has burned down, we approach that family, and donate some of the items that were collected on Blikkieskosdag,” Minnaar explained.

To add to the fun, students gathered in the amphitheatre for what is known as Blikkieskosdag Games. Residents of the NWU’s 28 hostels and members of the faculty ASA’s compete in games that are aimed at highlighting the various charity projects the SCC works with.

“This year the SRCS liaised with the Guide Dog Association and used these interactive games to highlight the challenges faced by people who make use of service dogs on a daily basis,” Minnaar said.

“Blindfolded students who have to find specific items in a large pile of clothing, is our way of highlighting challenges faced by blind people,” Minnaar explained.  

Dr Corrie Rheeder, Director of Student Life on the NWU’s Potchefstroom campus,  welcomed this annual student initiative.

“Canned Food Day is one of those student-driven activities that is very close to my heart. On many occasions students have come to my office with an empty stomach. This initiative gives me comfort to know that there’s a way in which such students can be assisted,” Rheeder said.

She explained that some of the food items are also distributed to the various residences on campus. She normally refers students to their primarii, should they approach her office in times of need.

Rheeder said it is astonishing to see how many sanitary products have been donated this year.

“Sanitary products are very expensive nowadays – I’m so thankful that our students have identified this need. I believe that if condoms are freely available on campus, women should also be assisted where sanitary products are concerned,” Rheeder said.

The SCC will calculate  the final value of this year’s donations this weekend.