It is an early Saturday morning in Stellenbosch, and the town begins to buzz with activity. However, for Carmen Stevens, winemaker and founder of Carmen Stevens Wines, the day starts long before sunrise.
In a warehouse brimming with energy, rustling bags and cheerful chatter, she coordinates a team of volunteers, each carefully packing hampers to feed children in Cape Town and surrounding areas such a Paarl, Wellington and as far as Villiersdorp and Ceres.
The Carmen Stevens Foundation, born from her determination to make a difference, focuses on feeding children during school hours. Four years ago, Stevens saw the heartbreaking reality of what happens when schools close. For many children, the school meal was their only meal.
“We realised these kids were going hungry when schools were closed. So, we came up with the idea of packing hampers,” she shares. “But not just any hampers – ones that bring dignity and can sustain a family of four to five for at least two weeks.”
Feeding dreams, fighting hunger
Today is one of those extraordinary days when Stevens and her team pack 2 000 hampers. Each bag, weighing nearly 17 kilograms, contains 32 items. The items are carefully chosen staples to provide both sustenance and nourishment. The goal is to double this effort by Easter, she says.
Yet, the need is staggering.
“We serve 26 000 kids, but we can only give hampers to 2 000. The need is so much bigger. We can’t do this alone. Most of our funding comes from overseas, which covers our daily school food, but, the need is for school holiday hampers. I would like to believe that if locals become more aware of the impact, they would support with funding towards our hamper drives,” she says.
Stevens’s passion for this mission stems from her own experiences. Growing up, food was not a certainty.
“My mother was a factory worker. By Thursday night, we’d be lucky to have a slice of bread. Friday’s wages would bring food again,” she recalls.
“If I can help a child focus, learn, and rise above their circumstances, I’ve done my job.”
Beyond the hunger
The impact of Stevens’ work extends far beyond filling empty stomachs. “Children queue from six o’clock in the morning. That desperation tells you everything,” she says. For these children, the promise of a meal is life-changing.
However, it is more than about food. Attendance and punctuality improve, aggression decreases, and children can focus in class.
“We’ve seen ear infections go down, menstrual cramps diminish for girls and overall energy levels improve. Even parents are grateful, as food costs often come after rent and transport. We’re trying to fill that gap.”
Dropout rates have plummeted, and more children are engaging in their studies with newfound enthusiasm.
Collin Alie, an educator at Hindle High School in Delft, is deeply committed to the Carmen Stevens Foundation’s mission. As the school’s learners benefit from the food parcels, he rallies colleagues and friends to volunteer, consistently growing their numbers.
“Our school didn’t have a feeding scheme from 2016 until last year when we became beneficiaries of the foundation. Out of gratitude, I make it a priority to show up and help, no matter what. This cause is close to my heart, and I ensure we’re here every time to give back.”
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A community effort
Today, hundreds of volunteers are working alongside Stevens. They have given up their family time to pack hampers.
Stevens smiles, watching them work. “We actually have to turn people away because we don’t have enough tables for everyone.”
Feeding a child costs them just R3 a day, yet the financial need is enormous and Stevens invites people to open their hearts wallets.
“A hamper costs R550 because we buy in bulk. People can donate any amount through Given Gain or buy a hamper directly on our website.”
She dreams of doubling the number of children served in the next two years but knows it will take significant public support.
“We have such a fantastic track record. During Covid, we fed over 18 000 people. But still, 45 to 55% of our kids need hampers, and we can’t meet that need yet.”
Deidré Vermeulen, coordinator of the Carmen Stevens Foundation, explains that each hamper is designed to sustain a family of four to five for two weeks.
“It includes essentials like 2.5 kg cake flour, 2.5kg maize meal, a five-pack of two-minute noodles for easy preparation, 1kg peanut butter, 900g jam, 500g beans, 1kg samp, 500g lentils, 500g soup mix, 500g split peas, salt, corned beef, two tins each of pilchards, chicken livers, and baked beans, 2kg rice, and more,” she says.
‘We need money’
When asked about the challenges she faces, Stevens is forthright. “The only challenge is money. We have the hands, we have the people willing to help. What we need is the funding to feed more kids. That’s it. Plain and simple.”
Despite the hurdles, Stevens remains steadfast. Her foundation is not just about feeding children, but about restoring hope and creating opportunities for a brighter future.
From feeding 500 children with a cup of soup in 2011 to providing breakfast and lunch to over 26 000 kids today, her journey is a testament to what’s possible when passion meets purpose.
“This is about showing these children that someone cares. It’s about giving them a chance to break the cycle of poverty and hunger. With the right support, I believe we can make that happen.”
There are two ways to donate: Purchase a hamper on their website, directly into the Carmen Stevens Foundation’s South African bank account or through the Given Gain website.
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