The reason I began writing and blogging was simple: to make a positive impact on others.
The reach of blogging amazed me—the idea that a single post, polished and published, can be read by thousands or even millions. Write, edit, click publish, and suddenly your words are available to the world.
Over dinner with Juan last Friday, I shared my vision with him.
I want my words to leave an impression on anyone who reads them, however briefly. As we move into this New Year, I’m grateful for the opportunity to do that more intentionally.
As a food blogger, my focus is introducing readers of Dish by Dish to interesting and accessible recipes. I don’t worry about where my next meal will come from; I’m fortunate to be able to choose ingredients at the supermarket and to cook regularly. That perspective shapes my writing but also makes me aware that not everyone shares this security.
While many of us may struggle with finances at times, most of us can at least count on three meals a day.
But the reality is harsher for many. A few weeks ago Nicole from Eat This Poem, who founded The Giving Table, announced a campaign to help feed children in South Africa and invited food bloggers to donate a post to the cause. I immediately agreed—this fit perfectly with my goal to use writing to help others.
Reading about The Lunchbox Fund and its mission was eye-opening.
The statistics are sobering: a large portion of South African children live in poverty, with millions lacking a regular school lunch. For many, the meal they receive at school may be their only one that day. Hunger undermines concentration, weakens motivation, and can derail a child’s chance at an education. Combined with high rates of orphanhood—many due to HIV/AIDS—the obstacles to school attendance and academic success are immense.
This is a reality far removed from mine, but it is the everyday life of too many children in South Africa.
I’ve never had to worry about where my next meal will come from, and that privilege makes it painful to consider children who carry that worry daily. As a food blogger who cooks and photographs food almost every day, I take for granted the abundance of choices I enjoy. For a child who is constantly hungry, worrying about food can replace any thought of learning, dreaming, or planning for the future.
The Lunchbox Fund’s motto—“Feed a child. Nourish a mind.”—could not be more fitting.
Founder Topaz Page-Green launched the fund after seeing children sit apart at lunch because they had nothing to eat and did not want to be tempted by others’ food. That image is heartbreaking: a child walking to school hungry, unable to focus, with their stomach and their future in jeopardy. How can a hungry child learn multiplication or dream of higher education when a rumbling tummy is the main concern?
The Fund aims to raise $5,000 to provide a daily meal to 100 South African schoolchildren for a full year.
I’m proud to support this effort and to be part of a movement that can change lives—sometimes one child at a time.
The Lunchbox Fund notes that $0.25 can feed a child for a day, $10 can feed a child for a month, and $120 can feed a child for an entire school year.
It’s startling to think that an amount many of us spend on a single leisure outing could provide a child with consistent meals and a better chance to learn. Small donations, pooled together, can change the course of a child’s education and future.
I’ve donated $10 and encourage you to give whatever you can. Every contribution helps bring a child closer to the stability they need to thrive in school.
Today’s recipe is simple, economical, and perfect for a nourishing lunch.
This curried cauliflower rice comes together quickly, is grain-free and gluten-free, and uses affordable ingredients. Cauliflower is often underrated, but when pulsed into a rice-like texture and stir-fried with garlic, curry powder, and fresh parsley, it becomes a flavorful, colorful dish that’s both budget-friendly and satisfying.
As you enjoy this meal, please remember that even a small donation can make a huge difference in the lives of South African children.
Thank you for joining the effort to help feed South Africa. Your generosity matters.
