SPAR and Operation Hunger make sure 3 000 families have food on the table
Needy families received the comfort of food parcels last week.
During times of crisis, it is important to recognise common humanity and show compassion.
Thanks to a partnership between SPAR Inland and Operation Hunger’s (OH) #FeedaFamily Campaign, 3 000 less fortunate families in Gauteng received much-needed food parcels.
The aim of the donation is to fight the increase in food insecurity and malnutrition brought on by the Covid-19 virus.
During the week of May 25 to 29, food hampers were distributed to Katlehong, Rondebult, Thembisa, Vanderbijlpark, Alexandra, Cosmo City and Honeydew.
The hampers included staple food items like milk, maize meal, samp, tea, sugar, cooking oil, salt and beef stock, to name but a few items.
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A group of volunteers and SPAR employees packaged the food parcels, and upon distribution provided beneficiaries with community-based educational training on Covid-19.
Sandy Bukula, interim CEO of OH, said the contribution of food products has bolstered ongoing efforts to improve access to food for all throughout the pandemic.
“Informed by our 45 years of feeding the country in times of crisis, our #Feedafamily campaign aims to feed no less than 10 000 families.
“Our efficiency model implemented by our experienced team has ensured that the SPAR food donation takes only seven days to feed 3 000 families in and around Gauteng,” explained Bukula.
Recent reports indicated a staggering 100 per cent increase in the number of people who required immediate support from OH.
Among them are families who do not qualify for government grants or incentives and are unemployed.
They account for commission-based earners, temporary employees and those who earned minimum wage.
Brett Botten, managing director of SPAR South Rand Distribution Centre, said, “The aim of the donation is to inspire people to be and do more.
“It’s during times like these that we really need to work together and support each other.
“We are a community-based business, and we trust that our small gesture will make a difference in the lives of those affected.”
Nonelela Xaba-Butjie, human resources executive for SPAR South Rand Distribution Centre, said they hope the food parcel donations will bring relief to those who are struggling financially, as well as emotionally.
“It is important for us to reach out and communicate a message of support to them.
“Therefore, in each hamper, employees of SPAR South Rand have placed a personal note which is a message of encouragement, just to say better days are coming,” Xaba-Butjie said.
Since its establishment in 1980, OH has reached more than 2.4 million beneficiaries and is ramping up its fund-raising efforts to help the vulnerable during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The #Feedafamily campaign enables anyone to donate from R200 up on the OH website (www.operationhunger.org.za) towards a food and sanitising pack for a vulnerable family.
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