According to Ladles of Love, the 'Sarmiethon' in 2023 was backed by key sponsors Coronation Fund Managers and Anchor Yeast. 

The annual event united corporate teams and the public around raising funds, donating sandwich ingredients and bringing together many willing hands to reach the ambitious 90 000 sandwiches goal, says Ladles of Love. 

2023's vibey and fun 'Sarmiethon Challenge' took place at Maker's Landing at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront and AtEds in Houghton, Johannesburg.

Ladles of Love raised funds at R10 a sandwich via the orgainisation's online store. The public is invited to continue donating. Each donation helps Ladles of Love to feed a child in need two meals a day — extending the impact beyond just World Sandwich Day, adds the organisation. 

A big spirit of giving

Ladles of Love says that companies were invited to enter teams of 10 and make as many sarmies as possible with bread sponsored by Blue Ribbon and jam from Rhodes Quality, ensuring that every cent raised from the donation fee goes to making an impact.

The following prizes were awarded to the participating teams:

Sarmiethon Championship — the award for the most sandwiches made in the allocated time in each city goes to:
  • Blue Ribbon's team in Cape Town
  • Holla in Joburg

Sarmiethon Best Dressed — the award for the best-dressed team in the spirit of doing good goes to:
  • The V&A Waterfront's team in Cape Town
  • SBA in Joburg

Sarmiethon Most 'Gees' — the team who exuded the most gees in the spirit of ubuntu was:
  • SBA in Cape Town
  • Bureau Veritas in Joburg


Why Coronation supports Sarmiethon as the lead sponsor every year

Coronation group head of marketing Wisahl Ganief says the fund manager supported the annual 'Sarmiethon' again because of the positive impact that the initiative makes in terms of hunger relief in disadvantaged communities. Coronation is a long-time partner of Ladles of Love and is deeply invested in food security as a national issue. 

"The reality is that an estimated 30 million people in South Africa are food insecure and, unfortunately, an estimated 2.5 million adults and 600 000 children in South Africa are hungry every day. This is made worse by the tough economy. We must do what we can to help," says Ganief. 

Ganief adds that Coronation Fund Managers and its staff were honoured to support the cause through volunteering and donating.

"Hunger is an issue with many knock-on effects. We care about education, and children can't learn when they are hungry. People can't reach their potential when they are perpetually hungry," Ganief says. 

Danny Diliberto, founder and managing director of Ladles of Love, says, "With the high rate of unemployment and poverty in our country, food security is a major problem in our country we cannot deny — a challenge we all need to take care of. Our Sarmiethon brings people together to care for those who don't have access to food. Together we made 75 000 sandwiches. Together we created 75 000 smiles."

Diliberto concludes, "We thank everyone who supported the cause this year. We can't wait to see the smiles on thousands of children's faces when we distribute the sandwiches later today and over the weekend to communities in the Cape Peninsula, Overstrand and Gauteng."

For more information, visit www.ladlesoflove.org.za. You can also follow Ladles of Love on Facebook, X or on Instagram.