The fight against hunger in Gauteng is certainly being bridged following the donations of food supplies worth R2,5 million.
On Wednesday, 15 April, Acting MEC for Social Development, Panyaza Lesufi received and welcomed the food donations.
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He said these donations will be prioritised for the vulnerable, and support families in distress amid the Covid-19 lockdown.
The donations were as a result of major companies in South Africa lending a helping hand.
The department listed them and their contributions:
• Shell SA donated 10 000 food packs to be distributed across the province
• Colgate-Palmolive donated 21 pallets of bath soap, toothpaste, roll-on, body lotion, toothpaste and face cloths to be distributed to the homeless in temporary shelters
• MealSA donated 120 000 bags of mealie meal, which will be delivered to qualifying families in batches of 40 000 per month over three months
• SANZAF and Operations SA to date have raised R5 million in donations to procure food for distribution, nutritional energy drinks, blankets, mattresses and toiletries
• Dursot has donated 720 cans of chakalaka and baked beans
Lesufi added that these donations will go a long way to assist the department in the fight against hunger, and restore the dignity of the most vulnerable people in the province.
“As part of normal funding for food relief programmes, the department awarded a tender of R80 million which will help to meet the increased requests for relief due to Covid-19. National government and the Solidarity Fund have also allocated R43 million to assist the province, and ensure that our people do not go to bed on an empty stomach during this time of need. As government we welcome the donations, but we call for more as the need for community assistance is ever-increasing,” Lesufi explained.
“The province has partnered with the three metros – Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni – to coordinate their donations with the province, so as to avoid duplication and double-dipping. This will also assist with stretching our resources to reach more people,” concluded Lesufi.
