What We Do

Founded in 2005, The Lunchbox Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a daily meal for disadvantaged and at-risk students in South African township high schools. For thousands of students in South Africa, the lack of food can diminish concentration, erode willpower and strip away the potential greatness of a child. It also draws dividing lines from the outset, in a schoolyard. Often, this burden is compounded by HIV or the trauma of losing loved ones or parents; a responsibility that no child should have to bear. Without food, both the children's attendance and performance at school is jeopardized, yet despite significant obstacles, these students are struggling to complete their education and become active and thriving members of society.

The simple gift of providing each child two protein-rich peanut butter sandwiches and a piece of fruit, or hearty soups with enriched bread, makes a substantial difference as it nurtures and encourages each child’s attendance at school. Furthermore, when a child stays in school, his or her risk of HIV infection, abuse, and/or unwanted pregnancy is greatly reduced.

The Lunchbox Fund is committed to providing students with access to nutrition, and is passionate about what food can do to lift people out of poverty. With a keen eye on sustainability and a green environment, The Lunchbox Fund has begun initiating organic food gardens into the schools we work with. Students and school communities are brought together around abundance creation projects, so that the vegetables and medicinal herbs grown are incorporated into school meals, boosting our children’s nutrition, stamina and immune systems. Additionally, we support our volunteers by encouraging that they take seeds home and create small food gardens for their own families. Similarly, we believe in supporting small local businesses and entrepreneurs in the townships provide our students with fresh daily bread.

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