Insurance broker Aon South Africa partners with Stop Hunger Now to feed needy kids
SANDTON – Staff at Aon South Africa's Sandton branch played their part in feeding the needy by volunteering to pack meals to feed 77 preschool children five meals per week for a year.
Insurance broker Aon South Africa partnered with non-profit organisation Stop Hunger Now on 7 June to pack nutritious meals for some of the most vulnerable children in the country.
Staff sacrificed an hour of their day to put together nutritious meals.
Marketing portfolio manager at Aon, Sharon Morris said, “This event is about using our strengths and expertise to have a lasting social impact in the community.”
National operations manager for Stop Hunger Now, Brian Nell, said the organisation partnered with unregistered Early Childhood Development Centres (ECD) across the country to assist them by not only providing meals for the children but also helping them get registered and receive government financial assistance. The organisation conducts baseline assessments at the centres initially and continues to track their progress until they get funding support.
“We form a two- to three-year relationship with each ECD… We believe that this is a sustainable solution to hunger,” said Nell. “There is a big need in this early life stage, with 3.1 million children facing hunger every day. We reach 55 000 of them and aim to continue growing.”
Legal advisor at Aon, Gary Hirschowitz, commented on the impact of his volunteerism. “This is the most meaningful time of the year when we can put something back into the community that is tangible,” he said. “It is fulfilling and feeds the soul. It is also a wonderful team-building exercise.”
Learning and development manager at the company Bella Hawkins said, “As I’m packing these meals, I’m thinking of my breakfast and how many kids didn’t have a meal this morning. It is heart-warming to feed a child in need.”
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Stop Hunger Now relies heavily on corporates for funding and volunteers. If you would like to involve your business in a similar drive, contact Brain Nell on 011 872 2498/ 079 897 4319 or email briann@stophungernowsa.org
