Jeremy Loops's Big Food Drive aims to serve 70,000 meals to poverty-stricken South Africans

4 May 2020

Singer and songwriter Jeremy Loops recently launched a food drive, which is intended to provide meals to poverty-stricken South Africans who have been affected by the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.

The Big Food Drive (TBFD) aims to serve 70,000 meals during the current Covid-19 lockdown.

Initially set out to raise R100,000 to provide 10,000 meals, The Big Food Drive tripled its target raising R300,000 in just 24 hours. Now the aim is to raise R700,000 and through the use of a carefully thought-out food network consisting of food producers, delivery vehicles, volunteers, warehousing depots and soup kitchens, TBFD will distribute 70,000 meals to communities in need. Food items sourced by the drive will be cleaned and quarantined to ensure health safety as the country continues to tackle the coronavirus.

Led by Loops, The Big Food drive has seen hundreds of fundraisers from around the world pledge their donations on a site dedicated to the initiative. “Given our country’s history of colonialism and apartheid causing an unequal society, and with lockdown triggering one of the biggest food crises this generation, I’ve been thinking long and hard on how I and many others can help put a plate of food on the table for those in need. Together with partner NGOs, Muizenberg CAN and community volunteers, we’ve launched The Big Food Drive to provide as many meals as possible to South Africans during Covid-19 lockdown” – said Jeremy Loops, on the launch of The Big Food Drive.

View this post on Instagram

Look what you've all gone and done ��! The first truckload of food from The Big Food Drive has arrived, and it's an incredible haul! Far bigger than what we imagined. 250 bunches of ��! 50 huge sacks of ��! And kilograms upon kilograms of carrots, butternut, maize, beans, tomatoes, and more! So many people's lives are going to be impacted by your generosity. We're happy our systems are in place and working well. And now we just carry this motivation to do more for people! If you're at moved by what you see here to support, please do. Just R100 / $5 provides 10 meals for those in need! Link in bio to support! ��: @francfinds ✂️: @motheomoleko #tbfd #thebigfooddrive #foodaid @muizenbergcan @amavaoluntu #soupkitchen #soupkitchens #feeding #helpinghands #helpingeachother #jeremyloops #southafrica #capetown #covid_19 #coronaaid #aid #feedingscheme #fooddrive

A post shared by The Big Food Drive (@thebigfooddrive) on May 2, 2020 at 2:05am PDT

Fresh off of launching, The Big Food Drive continues to see a huge influx of fundraisers assist in reaching milestones and achieving over R300,000 in just 24 hours. Supporters for The Big Food Drive can track and participate in fundraising here.

Be sure to follow The Big Food Drive on Facebook and Instagram for all updates on milestones, new targets and all news.