Helen Fraser founded the Nashua Children’s Foundation (NCCF) 14 years ago with the purpose of assisting indigent and orphaned children.
“Little did I know it would grow from two to 73 children organisations within a few short years and offering support which includes groceries, cleaning materials, toiletries, school/ educational needs and building renovations to name a few,” said Fraser.
On Saturday 21 March she received a call from one of her late daughter’s close friends Dani Moss. Moss volunteered for the foundation over the years and wanted to know what help they were going to give the 15 000 children that they support during this 21-day lockdown and suggested a food drive.
“She prepared a poster for social media and we posted it on our Facebook page. Within hours it went viral and we had four drop-off depots offered to us. Private homes that offered space to us are in Linksfield, Strathavon, Melrose and Oaklands to receive the groceries,” added Fraser.
The food drive supported 28 of the 73 charities they regularly assist which include outreach centres, soup kitchens and feeding schemes they have.
All the ECDs ( Early Childhood Development Centre) in their portfolio were closed when schools closed, as were many of the special-needs centres, outreach centres and other organisations that usually receive their support. Others that they contacted assured them that they had received support from other sources and would contact Fraser if they needed further supplies.
They can no longer accept donations other than money as they cannot run the drop-off points due to the lockdown regulations.
“We will be able to supply our assisted orphanages through online shopping and delivery should they ask for further help from the NCCF during the coming days,” said Fraser.
Fraser said that they hope the estimated R250 000 worth of groceries donated by individuals and businesses will sustain the children through the coming weeks.
For more information, visit helenf@nashua.co.za
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