LIMPOPO – A child-headed household often has a living parent, but is without parental care or income, which means the child is forced to assume this parental role of supporting the household. Suzanne Ackerman-Berman, transformation director at Pick n Pay and trustee of the Feed the Nation Foundation, says the need to support vulnerable families is greater now than at the start of the pandemic earlier this year as communities are now having to deal with the economic aftermath.
“There are many instances where teenagers are running a home while still attending school or working. We’ve even heard of incidents where children as young as nine are having to support a four-year-old sibling.”
Each food hamper is valued at over R500 and generally consists of essential grocery items such as maize meal, rice, soup mix, flour, soya mince, cooking oil, salt and soap and fresh vegetables, and is expected to provide food support for a family of four for up to one month.
In what started out as the Feed the Nation campaign, and partnering with funders, Pick n Pay customers, suppliers and welfare organisations, Feed the Nation Foundation has provided over 25-million meals in the form of food hampers to date. This collective effort has not only helped feed schoolchildren, but also shelters, old-age homes, orphanages, and vulnerable communities during this crisis.
Over 4 000 child-headed households nationally have received food hampers, the total value of which is just over R2.1 million.
Said Ackerman Berman: “We are still urging customers to join us in feeding the nation. A donation of just R21 at our till points can help feed someone one meal for a week. Customers can make a cash donation at any till point – and until 24 December Pick n Pay will match every Rand donated, up to the total value of R100 000.”
Identified learners at the following schools received food hampers: Maphuto Primary School in Sebayeng; Maboyane Primary School in Gadikgale; Mountainview Senior Secondary School in Mankweng; Alf Makaleng Primary School in Seshego, Polokwane; Makgofe Secondary School; Nape Ranoto Primary School in Kgotlhwane, Polokwane; Mokati Primary School in Moletsi; Monyong Secondary School in Ga-Makgakga, Perskebult; Kgabo Secondary School in Moletji, Ga-Mokgokong; Madiphatlo Kgomo Primary School and Sokgedlwa Primary School, both in Sekgakgapeng, Mokopane