Gift of the Givers hard at work to assist Midrand community
MIDRAND – Thanks to a generous donation from Gift of the Givers, 300 people in Midrand received large food packages to help them through the lockdown period.
The Gift of the Givers, along with Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga, distributed 300 food parcels in Midrand on 22 May.
The Gift of the Givers donated their standard food parcels along with additional donations from Woolworths. Hyundai also provided vehicles to Gift of the Givers to use for the donations.
Roslyn Toontas, a Gift of the Givers volunteer, said that as a Midrand resident, the community has a special place in her heart. “This virus has shown that it has no favourites, it doesn’t matter who you are. Obviously older people need to be extra cautious. We need to wear a mask at all times and wash hands.
“The challenges of Covid-19 have highlighted the plight of many people… we are so thankful to our partners Woolworths, Nestlé and Hyundai, without whom, we wouldn’t be able to do this.”
The donations were done with people in groups of 50 to ensure adequate social distancing. The food parcels, weighing about 50kg, included large bags of mielie meal and rice, along with other essential items such as cooking oil and tinned foods.
Motshekga explained that those who are most disadvantaged in the ward were identified to receive food parcels. “There are children that have to look after their siblings, child-headed households, those are the people we are targeting. Those who are not on any grant or pension. If there is an old person who has to care for many children, we’ve identified them to give them assistance.”
She added that they have also identified young fathers who are unemployed and don’t receive any grants to assist them with food parcels.
Motshekga praised Gift of the Givers for their willingness to help. “I’m really humbled by their support,” she added.
Motshekga also arranged for taxis to help transport the beneficiaries and their parcels to their homes.
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