FABI has launched its Annual Blanket Drive in aid of those in need of warmth this coming winter. Donors can bring their contributions of blankets as well as coats, winter jackets, mittens, scarves and jerseys to the FABI reception area. Though winter items don’t need to be new, they still have to be clean and usable. The annual blanket collection is one of FABI’s community outreach initiatives led by Professor Noelani van den Berg.

FABIans donated 200 blankets last year to Meet and Eat, an initiative run by six church dominations that provides meals for homeless people in the Hatfield and Hillcrest suburbs. In recent years, students and staff at FABI have donated blankets and winter items to various charity organisations in Tshwane. In 2016, they also collected more than 2000 litres of bottled water in aid of Operation Hydrate, a relief campaign formed in response to last year’s devastating drought.