MealSA and partners feed the hungry in Sandton

Humanitarian non-profit organisation MealSA is doing their bit to fight hard times amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

On 27 June, the organisation in partnership with the Sandton Islamic Association, Al-Imdaad Foundation and a few others braved the cold to help displaced people in the greater Sandton area as part of their winter warmth project.

More than 500 hampers which included blankets, mielie meal and other food items were distributed to the displaced people in the area. A hot lunch was enjoyed on the afternoon as well. Following strict Covid-19 protocols, 50 volunteers played their part in and around Innesfree Park, Marlboro Drive, South Road and William Nicol Drive.

Humanitarian and executive of MealSA, Mohammed Mahomedy said the idea behind the organisation was born out of Covid-19 and was conceptualised just as the lockdown started. “Originating from the Sandton Islamic Association and the Fordsburg Muslim Youth Organisation, the idea was brought forward that we must, that we should, help people with food during the pandemic. We believe that the economic lockdown would create challenges for people from a starvation perspective,” said Mahomedy.

The idea was to get people to donate R60 for a bag of mielie meal and it grew from there.”The winter warmth project was a wonderful success, through our partnerships we achieved much more.”

Qari Ziyaad Patel of the Al-Imdaad Foundation said, “It was a lovely day with an array of volunteers, things happened in such a beautiful way, systematic and so many people had benefitted. There were so many organisations there on that day and so we took an undertaking that we would like to adopt Innesfree Park informal settlement and see how we can come together collectively.”

Patel is a strong believer in partnerships and feels that through collaborations such as these greater help is given.”We would like to rally other organisations to do the same in different communities.”