Non-profit organisation Rays of Hope, based in Hurlingham, encourages community members to assist them in providing food and health-related product hampers to 1 000 vulnerable Alex residents over the lockdown period.
Local business Food In Motion, located at the Wanderers Club in Illovo, has committed to donating fresh produce to support 50 families in Alex each week as part of this initiative. Director of Food In Motion Angelo Dos Santos said the weekly donation of fresh produce will include a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit, changing weekly.
Rays of Hope is an NPO which manages a large number of social outreach projects in Alex.
Executive director of Rays of Hope Sihle Mooi said, “Rays of Hope has a team of people who work on the ground impacting the lives of the less fortunate and most impoverished, and who are therefore currently vulnerable. Over the last few years, the NPO has also created a coalition with over 30 other non-profit organisations across Alex, who by working together can reach more people.”
Mooi said that Alex is overcrowded and under-resourced, meaning the Covid-19 crisis will have a massive and potentially disastrous impact.
“Among the hardest hit will be the thousands of unemployed people as they will not have the extra money for soap and sanitiser and cannot afford to stockpile. Also at risk are people and children living in unsanitary conditions as well as the sick and elderly with limited access to medicine to treat their symptoms. Families with young children will need more food too, as the children usually receive a meal at school,” said Mooi.
While social isolation is very difficult for people living in Alex and medical facilities are limited, by providing food, basic medicine and hygiene products, Rays of Hope are able to reduce the need for infected people to go out shopping or use public transport.
The NPO has secured the required permissions to be out doing deliveries during the lockdown. They aim to provide hampers to 1 000 of the most vulnerable.
On 2 April, they had received donations for just over 50 per cent of that target.
Each hamper will cost R850 including purchasing, packing and distribution. A list of what is included in the hamper is on the Rays of Hope website.
Companies and individuals are invited to buy and drop off the goods needed for the hampers, although cash donations are preferred.
Visit www.raysofhope.co.za/hope4alexhampers/ to find out more.
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