The McPherson Foundation has launched a campaign aimed at keeping the tummies of schoolchildren filled for a year.
The organisation, founded by Somerset West youth entrepreneur Tony McPherson in May, initiated its “Feed a school child for a year” drive on social media earlier this month. The project is the brainchild of the 18-year-old Parel Vallei High School learner.
“I have always had a passion for children, especially the underprivileged – I believe that they should not suffer as a result of actions beyond their control,” the well-spoken youth said.
“Reading statistics on underprivileged school children for a school speech two weeks ago, I was shocked by the numbers. I did some research and came across a donor-funded feeding scheme that works with underprivileged schools around South Africa.”
The McPherson Foundation is a charitable organisation that aims to address the present situation of youths through upliftment and support of the institutions that provides them with care. “I believe that we can use what we have and do the things we can to make a difference in peoples’ lives,” McPherson added. “I have always had a passion for poverty alleviation and the empowerment of underprivileged communities – launching my foundation gave me a platform to do this.”
The foundation was established as a charities’ aid institution, giving less fortunate children a chance to experience love, happiness and a brighter future with the help and funding of other like-minded benefactors.
The “Feed a school child for a year” project will see the foundation raising funds to allow them to provide daily nourishing meals to schoolchildren through feeding schemes. “Children who don’t have enough to eat cannot work towards a proper education. Without a proper education, their future prospects are severely limited,” McPherson relayed.
“School nutrition programmes offer the assurance of a daily, nourishing meal to needy school and preschool children in vulnerable communities in South Africa.”
They are teaming up with a number of organisations operating feeding schemes across the country, including the Lunch Box Fund, which will benefit from the campaign. “The McPherson Foundation is evolving its agenda and calibrating to focus on various communities within South Africa. For this campaign, we will focus on the local schoolchildren as they are not nutritionally equipped to focus during a school day,” the Grade 12 learner explained.
He invited individuals and local businesses to support the initiative through donations, spreading the word or involvement in fundraising efforts.
To get involved, contact Tony on 072 971 5260 or tonyjnr@mcphersons.co.za.
