’Cookies for a cause’, a first-time fundraising event in P.E.I. to benefit children in South Africa

By Gomathi Sridevi Radhakrishnan

October 12, 2023.

Bianca Ivankovic, the founder of Shap Shap, a new non-profit organization, on P.E.I. started a fundraising event called ‘Cookies for a cause’ in the province for the first time. It’s goal is to raise money to help feed children and elderly women in South Africa. Gomathi Sridevi Radhakrishnan photo

Having spent her early years as a ‘Brownian’ on a girl scout troop, Bianca Ivancovic was inspired to begin fundraising.

“In the Scouting world, we're encouraged to lend a hand and to help other people, and I really like the idea of serving the community and making a small change wherever possible,” said Ivankovic.

Cooking supper for 50 people once a week was the beginning of something that grew to feed even more people in need.

“And so, the idea for Shap Shap was born and we realized that there was a massive need in the community not just for food, but also for educational programs.”

A fundraising event named "Cookies for a Cause" was initiated by Ivankovic recently in P.E.I. She is the founder of Shap Shap, a non-profit organization in South Africa.

‘Shap Shap’ is a phrase in South Africa that could mean ‘thank you’.

“With the “Cookies for a cause,” it’s like baking 1,000 cookies. We’re not asking people to buy, but asking them to pledge to help. What we are doing is basically sponsoring one meal in South Africa.”

This initiative uses a vegan feeding plan, and the whole cookie part of the fundraiser is to help raise awareness and get more people involved. The project's goal is to assist South African elderly women and children, and in exchange, sponsors receive cookies as a token of appreciation.

Ivancovic is organizing this fundraising event on P.E.I. for the first time. She recently relocated from South Africa and is excited to be able to continue raising money for South African children.

“The possibility to raise funds here is a lot easier, I think. We invite people to make a pledge to sponsor somebody, so in this case it's $5 and that will be for a child or an elderly woman in South Africa.”

The organization also conducts workshops that provide access to information on basic and important topics like diabetes, hypertension, diets and nutrition.

While it can be difficult to start a fundraising event in a different country, Ivancovic is fortunate to have support. With the creation of posters and advertising them, one of her coworkers, Grace McNevin, has been assisting her.

"She's been taking it to churches, schools and community groups and just trying to do rally with people in all different sorts of walks of life in P.E.I. to support the campaign."

People like Roosmari Croeser, one of the sponsors, have shown interest in the campaign.

“I personally know the person who runs this operation. They have very low overheads and tremendous integrity. The lack of corruption and frugal way in which this operation is run, allows the money to go straight to the feeding scheme,” said Croeser in an email.

After a few days of the campaign, Ivancovic noted that the needs of people are growing but also the people who support those needs are reducing.

With some events happening in the community right now, some are impacting people who previously have donated to charities.

Andrea MacDonald, the CEO of United Way of P.E.I. explained it’s a growing trend.

“We know that in levels of inflation, the housing crisis, and all these things mean people are finding it harder to be able to make ends meet,” said MacDonald.

She also gave a demographic view of people who are donating to charities and organizations.

"There are people who have been giving historically to charities and they might be established in their career and or retired. We see the older demographic giving more but we also see younger demographics being very involved.” said MacDonald.

Though there are only a few donations that have been made so far, Ivancovic doesn’t plan on giving up.

“This fundraising is a firsthand taste of what it means to make a difference in these communities and meet the people in the communities that they're supporting.”

Ivancovic has more future fundraising ideas stuffed in her bucket list.

“We’ll be doing an art exhibition and we're going to sell the arts that we took in South Africa, to raise profits for Shap Shap. We want to do this potentially around Christmas time, so people could buy them as Christmas gifts.”

Ivancovic intends to acquire some donors before the end of October, when the fundraising campaign is scheduled to end. She encouraged people to come forward and take a small action that can have a greater impact.

"If you see a need and you think you can meet that need, then do it. Together, let’s build what you can and when you can."