Jackson’s Foundation fills tummies

The Jackson’s Foundation, recently launched by Jackson’s Real Food Market and Eatery, continues to elevate the community through its A Little ReaLeaf outreach initiative.

According to Jackson’s founder Gary Jackson, in just more than a month the community has raised more than R250 000 and distributed close to 20 000 meals and 485 care packs to people who live along the Bryanston Spruit, and to Clay Oven, Diepsloot, Alexandra and Lanseria informal settlements.

“The care packs are from instances where people don’t particularly want to give money directly so they are happy to buy the groceries and drop it off at one of our stores,” he said. For every R20 donated, the initiative is able to provide a warm plate of food for one person in need.

“About 60 per cent of the R20 goes to the meat, 10 per cent to vegetables, 20 per cent to any spices or rice and the remaining 10 per cent is used for the packaging.” He added that while the response had surpassed his expectation, the group hoped to continue giving back well after the lockdown has ended. “We started our foundation in January [this year] and our timing was just perfect because we had everything ready to launch the initiative. ”

Being allowed to operate during lockdown has taught us that if we are able to help those in need, we have the responsibility to do so.”People who would like to donate can do so by dropping off any non-perishable foods, old or new clothes and blankets at their eateries in Bryanston and Kyalami.

For more information about the project, email realeaf@jacksonsrealfoodmarket.co.za