The need in South Africa is massive, and it can often feel overwhelming. However, Stephan, the founder of Charity Begins With Me, is channelling his exhaustion into a canned food drive to bring immense joy to families this festive season.
Johannesburg, South Africa (21 August 2025) – For 15 years, Stephan, the founder and philanthropist behind Charity Begins With Me, has dedicated himself to ensuring that underprivileged families do not go to bed hungry and that children receive as much support as he can provide.
It has been an incredible cause, but not one without its challenges, anxieties and disappointments.
Overcome with the growing need in the Johannesburg communities he works in, Stephan currently finds himself overwhelmed in his fight to make a difference.
“I feel absolutely overwhelmed. Very difficult to admit, but I’ve been feeling like this for a while now,” Stephan pens in a post.
“15 years and over 40,000 followers later, it is still consistently difficult every single day. I am getting so used to disappointing people, because no matter how hard I try, there is just never enough to give.”
He describes the heartbreaking reality of helping one child with a pair of shoes only to be faced with five others in the same situation, not knowing when or how he’d be able to help them, too.
“The need is massive. The number one thing that I try to get people to understand is that you don’t need lots of money to help or make a difference,” he says.
But Stephan’s message isn’t one of despair. As his third annual Christmas project approaches, Stephan is challenging and appealing to the community to donate canned food to help feed those who don’t know where their Christmas lunch will come from.
“We all worry about bills, the cost of living, and medical expenses. But it does NOT have to cost a lot of money to make a difference.”
He suggests a simple plan: to find one can in your pantry and, because kindness can inspire kindness, to ask four friends or colleagues to do the same. That’s five cans that can be donated.
“Now imagine if we could convince just 1,000 people to join forces with four friends…That’s 5,000 cans of food for Christmas parcels.”
Though tired, Stephan is not giving up. He’s channelling his exhaustion into a renewed focus on what’s possible, asking the community to join him in making a tangible impact.
His goal is to collect 5,000 cans of food by the end of November. A tin of baked beans, canned sweet corn or a donated grocery voucher could bring joy and sustenance to a family this festive season.
To arrange a donation or to get in touch with Stephan, check out his Facebook post here.
Sources: Charity Begins With Me
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