Christel House South Africa has sounded an urgent call for support to help feed 1,000 families before schools close in December. The non-profit, no-fee school, which serves children from some of Cape Town’s most under-resourced communities, is racing against time to raise R250 000 in just three weeks.
The initiative, known as Buckets of Hope, provides families with essential groceries to sustain them during the December holidays, a period when food insecurity spikes sharply. Each bucket, valued at R350, contains nutritious staples such as maize, pasta, soya mince, samp and beans — items that can make the difference between hunger and stability for households already under strain.
Christel House SA provides daily meals to its students throughout the school year. But when the school gates close for the holidays, many families are left uncertain about where their next meal will come from. The Buckets of Hope campaign aims to bridge that gap, ensuring children return home with food security during one of the most vulnerable times of the year.
So far, compassionate donors have contributed more than R100 000 — a third of the total target. But with R250 000 still needed, the school is urging individuals, corporates and community groups to step in. Sponsoring a full class of 30 students costs R10 500, guaranteeing that every child in that class takes home a bucket filled with essentials.
“Our Buckets of Hope help keep our students nourished and stabilise households during a very vulnerable time,” says Lara Black, Development & Partnerships Director at Christel House South Africa. “We cannot meet the need alone. As the festive season approaches, we urge corporates to rethink traditional year-end gifts and sponsor a Bucket of Hope instead. Each donation can be personalised, turning a simple gesture into one of genuine meaning and impact.”
The appeal highlights the broader challenge of food insecurity in Cape Town’s low-income communities, where families often rely on school meals as their most reliable source of nutrition. For many, the Buckets of Hope campaign is not just charity — it is survival.
Donors can request Section 18A tax certificates for contributions. To support the campaign, email donate@sa.christelhouse.org with the subject line “Bucket of Hope”, or visit www.sa.christelhouse.org/donate and reference ‘hope’, your initials and surname.
