‘Bread The Love’ is about spreading the love… and this Mom is hoping other South Africans will take up the torch and join in the powerful kindness initiative.
South Africa (27 February 2023) – ‘Bread The Love’ started as a simple idea, but the concept has become a powerful initiative helping to feed thousands of people.
Claudia Joseph had no idea that a small act of kindness would turn into an incredible feeding scheme involving an entire nursery school.
Fridays became a personal mission for Joseph and her kids to help feed the needy in their community. The family bought 15 loaves of bread and would drive around the neighbourhood to hand them out.
“Our kids took turns to give the bread through the window because they “loved the feeling” of the God bless you that followed,” Claudia Joseph explained.
“As our conversations continued each Friday, it was clear that our kids were being filled with gratitude for what they had and pride that they were able to bring a smile to someone’s face through such a simple act.”
Joseph wanted to spread this joy and ignite the feeling of giving to others, so the kind South African approached her children’s nursery school.
“We donated bread to every child during the first week of ‘Bread the Love’ in September last year. We donated it in the name of two very special young people in the community who had passed away. And we appealed to parents to pick a Friday and keep the donations rolling in honour of birthdays (instead of lucky packets and sweets ), anniversaries, or in the name of others who they would like remembered to make the donation week meaningful to them.”
Almost immediately, what was left of the 2022 calendar of Fridays was filled and then 2023 started filling up too.
Every Friday, 130 loaves of bread are delivered to the nursery school; each child receives a loaf when leaving for the day to give to donate to someone less fortunate on their way home.
“Parents have been blown away by how such a simple act has changed the way their kids think about the world and how much their hearts have opened to giving more, giving their toys away, wanting to give more food away, and even looking after clothes so that they can give them away one day.”
To date, the kids of the school have donated over 6,000 loaves of bread to those in need and parents have already pledged 4,500 for upcoming weeks.
“We’re a relatively small nursery school but making such a big impact. It is our incredible gift that keeps on giving amongst our little Minnie Bersohn community.”
Are you going to take up the ‘Bread The Love’ challenge? It’s simple: Buy a loaf of bread and give it to someone in need every Friday. Let’s take this powerful initiative and help feed the nation!