Food packs delivered to community members in need
DIEPSLOOT – Families were grateful to receive food packs with essential items such as maize meal and rice
Diepsloot residents received some welcome relief on 8 May when 1 000 food parcels were delivered around the informal settlement.
The project was initiated by Engen retailers’ corporate social investment (CSI), with the assistance of franchisers. In partnership with Planact, Spiritual Chords, ABC Sweets, Alchemy Foods, Maya Security and Kitkat Wholesalers, they were able to pack food hampers to be delivered to those in most desperate need.
Spokesperson from the Engen Group, Tshepo Magadla, thanked all the sponsors for going out of their way to make the donation possible. “Under these lockdown conditions, it’s not ideal for business and a lot of business people are bleeding, a lot of employers and employees are bleeding. People are not going to work nor have the means to put food on the table.
“It’s a trying time for everyone but human nature is resilient, we have been through all sorts of plagues and we will survive this too. Right now, we need to keep in mind those who are not able to put food on the table.”
Celebration Church, located in Diepsloot helped compile a list of those in the community who are in most desperate need. The food hampers were then delivered door to door to ensure there was no crowding.
Magadla added that Diepsloot has been a special case to the company because of the dire need. “There is poverty, child-headed households and unemployment, that’s why I’m especially thankful to those who have made this possible.”
Engen embarked on a similar project a few weeks ago, as reported in the Fourways Review article, Diepsloot residents receive much-needed food parcels [published online 26 April].In November last year, Engen provided Diepsloot Secondary School with a new water tank and ablution facilities.
Tipu Moosa, the chairperson of CSI committee, said this would be especially useful now as learners have access to clean water with which to wash their hands.Moosa also added a special thanks to the volunteers who worked tirelessly to sort through the stock, pack the parcels and load them on to the trucks.
“It’s just good-spirited people trying to help.”The parcel includes basic food items such as maize meal, rice and flour, among other items, which will be able to feed a family for two weeks.
