Dads pack food parcels

WHILE many dads celebrated Father’s Day being spoilt by their children, some fathers volunteered to help the South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) kick start the ceremonial Fitrah hamper packing.

SANZAF, in partnership with the Greater Athlone Volunteer Group and a number of national businesses in the Western Cape, worked together to pack food parcels that will be delivered to needy communities during Eid al-Fitr next weekend.

The ceremonial Fitrah hamper packing is a voluntary community programme that is part of the annual Operation Fitrah Campaign.

With the end of Ramadaan just a week away, SANZAF intensified its annual Operation Fitrah Campaign to ensure that over 23 000 families have food parcels on the day of Eid-al-Fitr.

Nearly 500 volunteers took part in the hamper-packing. Many came from community organisations, rugby, soccer, schools and scout groups, while other volunteers came from Bonteheuwal, Gugulethu, Manenberg, Langa, Lansdowne and Woodstock to donate their time to charity at the Rylands civic centre in Gatesville.

Greater Athlone Group co-ordinator Enayat Hamza said it is essential to assist the poor and those in need. “We have the capacity and the resources to do so.

“We have partnered with SANZAF because they have a footprint in the community. They are established in the community with a good record.

“Five years ago, a group of people came together and said, ‘let’s do this’. We worked in a house and got 100 boxes. We refined the system a bit to make sure the boxes of food get to the people in need.

“Now we have assistance from many businesses and friends who believe in doing good and giving back.”

Hamza said the Greater Athlone Volunteer Group contributed over R440 000 to support this initiative.

ML Hassiem Cassiem, the SANZAF Western Cape chairperson, said: “The best amalah (way) to teach is to do it consistently. If we are not here, our kids are here to do it.”

Yasmina Francke, general manager for SANZAF Western Cape, said: “This is a great example of what a collective group of people can do in order to help a community and the country. We have offices all over South Africa. And this is just a portion of the good work we do nationally.”

SANZAF offices countrywide are a hive of activity, with truckloads of food and goods ready for delivery.

SANZAF A HIVE OF ACTIVITY TO HELP THOSE IN NEED IN TIME FOR EID AL-FITR