About Us | Community Hands Foundation

Our Story

From a Single Soup Kitchen to a Movement of Hope

Community Hands Foundation began in 2016 when a group of neighbours in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, started cooking one shared meal a week for children who were going hungry after school.

Word spread, volunteers joined, and what started as a single pot of soup grew into a registered non-profit organisation serving 27 communities across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng.

Today, our work spans four pillars: hunger relief, clothing support, youth education and skills development, and substance abuse recovery — because we know that poverty has many faces, and so must the response.

We remain proudly community-led: most of our staff and volunteers come from the very communities we serve.

120+ Volunteers Powered by community members

Mission & Vision

What Drives Us Forward

Our Mission

To support disadvantaged communities in South Africa by addressing hunger, providing food and clothing, promoting youth education and skills development, and supporting young people affected by substance abuse.

Our Vision

A South Africa where every person — regardless of where they were born — has access to food, dignity, education and the opportunity to build a meaningful, self-sufficient life.

Core Values

The Principles That Guide Us

These values shape every meal we serve, every class we teach and every life we touch.

Compassion

We meet every person with empathy and without judgement, recognising the inherent dignity in every human being.

Community

Change is most powerful when it comes from within. We work with communities, not just for them.

Integrity

We are transparent and accountable in everything we do — especially with the trust and resources our donors give us.

Empowerment

We don't just give handouts — we build skills, confidence and pathways out of poverty for good.

Sustainability

We design programs that communities can eventually run themselves, creating change that lasts for generations.

Inclusivity

Everyone is welcome — regardless of age, gender, background, faith or circumstance. No one is turned away.

Governance & Transparency

Accountable to You, and to Our Communities

Community Hands Foundation is a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 123-456) with the South African Department of Social Development, and a Public Benefit Organisation with SARS tax-exempt status (Section 18A receipts available for donors).

Our board of directors includes community leaders, educators, social workers and finance professionals who meet quarterly to oversee strategy, budgets and program outcomes.

Annual audited financial statements published openly
87% of all funds go directly to programs
Quarterly impact reports shared with all donors

See Our Impact Report

About Community Hands Foundation