Cape Times

SAUnite restores dignity by supplying residents with food and clothing

- ZANELE MVANA zanele.mvana@inl.co.za

NON-PROFIT organisati­on SAUnite is on a mission to restore the dignity of residents across the metro by supplying them with much-needed food parcels, clothing and shoes.

Founded last year by 42-year-old Parow father of two Ashley Rix and his wife Chantal, the drive has been a source of hope for many communitie­s.

Rix said growing up in a Christian home exposed him to charity work and what it meant to give back.

The organisati­on recently started a campaign in Valhalla Park called #XavierAndF­riends to feed and clothe needy children. The campaign has been a great success and they are planning to expand their reach.

“The organisati­on started off by assisting victims of gender-based violence, those in shelters, drug rehabilita­tion centres, old-age homes and orphanages. We then later started a soup kitchen where we fed about 650 to 1 000 people daily.

“On May 6, I was in Valhalla Park doing charity work when I noticed that many kids were without shoes in the rain. I saw a boy called Xavier and asked him where his shoes were. He said ‘I don't own a pair', and this inspired the #XavierAndF­riends campaign,” Rix said.

“We will go back to distribute whatever we collect. We want to make sure every person in 8th Avenue has at least one pair of shoes and warm clothes this winter. We have since collected clothes for over 2 000 people, 500 party bags for the kids, we have 10 volunteers

who will pamper the elderly, and we are still in need of toys.”

Just R20 will cover the cost of a warm meal for a person. To make a donation or assist, contact Rix on 076 877 7888, or email info@saunite.

org.za donations@saunite.org.za

Bank: FNB; Account Name: Hashtag SaUnite NPC; Account Number: 6288760217­8; Account Type: Cheque; Branch: 250655; Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ; Reference: Your Name/Soup Kitchen

 ??  ?? SAUnite has identified a need for food and clothes for Vallhalla Park residents.
SAUnite has identified a need for food and clothes for Vallhalla Park residents.
 ??  ?? A CHILD is fitted with shoes, donated to SAUnite for the community.
A CHILD is fitted with shoes, donated to SAUnite for the community.

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