On 7 April 2021, the Faculty of Health Sciences launched the Food Parcel Project in response to the significant increase in UP students who do not have access to healthy food and toiletries.

Inspired by the School of Dentistry’s “Brown Bag” project, the Faculty of Health Sciences has created the food parcel project to support students with food and subsistence required to complete their training in the current year. The Faculty aims to create a “Pay-It-Forward” culture amongst students and staff by encouraging those who can afford to donate non-perishable foods to support students from low-income households facing further financial strain due to the pandemic.

Food insecurity leads to psychological and emotional stress, which becomes a stumbling block for students completing their degrees. Approximately 30% of university students in South Africa face food insecurity. “To ensure that students realize their full potential, the Faculty has recognized that it is not sufficient only to support students academically but to support in other areas of need. This led to the initiation of the Food Parcel Project,” said Prof Vanessa Steenkamp, Deputy Dean of Teaching and Learning.

All non-perishable foodstuffs and toiletries are welcome and are dropped in the marked boxes at the assigned drop-off points.

“When I started in student leadership, I came face to face with the harsh realities that our students deal with on a daily. As a result, we took the issue to Faculty and agreed that addressing food insecurity will be one of our top priorities,” shared Mberi Tjijorokisa, Chairperson of Health House.

Steps to Donate:

*Payments can be done into the university's ABSA bank account with the reference:  Food Parcel Donation

List of items that can be donated: canned food (vegetables, fish, meat, etc.), 2-minute Noodles, canned/packet soup, instant oats/maize/porridge, whole grain rice/pasta, peanut butter, jam, long-life/powdered milk, sugar, tea bags, instant coffee, brown sugar, deodorant- Roll-on deodorant, toothbrush, bath soaps, toothpaste, toothbrush, sanitary towels, washing powder and fabric softener.

Drop-off points: HW Snyman North: Library; Ukuthula – Laundry room; TuksB – HC room; Hippokrates – Archive’s room; School of Dentistry – Oral and Dental Hospital 6th floor and Steve Biko Academic Hospital – level 7, Room 72328.