Hero's Name: Carl Van Bletk

Accolade Type: Charitable Act

Applauded for: The Food Pantry

Nominated By: Stuart Marshall

Carl established this NPO with no finances. He has managed to get massive support and donations to get this going. His connections have brought in so much help, in the form of food and financial assistance. He got some municipal support, other existing food bank NPOs and corporate, big brand companies as well as lots of local businesses with regular, small donations. He has been doing many other food relief ventures within the Pantry, one of which is the “Plant a Garden” scheme. He not only supplies food for malnourished people, mainly children, across the entire Garden Route, but he supplies fortified vitamin- and mineral-strong foods. He does not believe giving them a full tummy is enough - it may be enough for today, but it is not giving them nourishment to grow healthily. The community is truly blown away by Carl's achievements and considering he himself has barely had a salary for almost three years, it is quite remarkable. He has employed seven staff, creating employment also! This has always been Carl's dream, he was a very active Lion and has spearheaded many charitable initiatives mainly aimed at helping children. And almost anyone who lives in George will remember the Knysna fires. Carl ran one of, if not the biggest, relief organisations. Again drawing on his many contacts, he had to organise warehouses and the Train Museum for storage and coordination. So much was left over that a further charity was born to help victims of fire in the future, in our region, which it is still doing!