Your grand or great-grandparents might recall the lyrics from a 1928 song “You′re the cream in my coffee”. In each verse, items are paired with indispensable partners: salt with stew; laces with shoes; a captain with his crew. The singer ends each verse crooning: “You will always be my necessity; I'd be lost without you”.
Thembeka Gumede, The Domino Foundation’s “Connector”, could add another verse which rhapsodises about being the spread to her bread. “16 October is World Food Day and promotes awareness of those suffering from hunger, highlighting the need to ensure healthy diets for all. Peanut butter is an indispensable part of our Nutrition programme. With Christmas not too far off, we are inviting schools, churches and other groups to help us keep our pantry well-stocked with this high-protein item.”
Thembeka is calling the campaign “Be the Peanut Butter to my Bread”. Each year, between the programme’s operation in North Durban and Toti communities, the teams of sarmie-makers turn out over 150 000 pieces of what she terms “food for thought” to learners North and South of the city. “We are not only concerned with filling empty tummies. While peanut butter is very nutritious, helping physical development, reducing deficiency risks, boosting immunity and enhancing vision, it also helps improve memory, cognitive function and concentration.”
The enthusiastic galvaniser of Domino’s volunteer programme invited any one wanting more information on being part of the #DominoEffect and help the Nutrition programme fulfil its commitment to get brain food to underserved learners to contact her at connect @ domino.org.za or 031 110 0730. Thembeka is singing “You will always be my necessity; I'd be lost without you” about everyone who joins her in this vital initiative.
