Corporates hand over food parcels to NC dept
AS PART of the fight against hunger during the Covid-19 lockdown, Old Mutual and De Beers handed over 1 650 food parcels to the Northern Cape Department of Social Development.
The regional manager and member of the provincial board for Old Mutual, Angie Kgathole, said they had decided to give a helping hand to the government in assisting those who are in dire need of food.
“The department approached us and requested our assistance during this pandemic. We saw that this was a good opportunity to touch the lives of people as well as to make a difference to those who may be in need. We have donated 850 food parcels. Each parcel will be able to feed a family of five for an entire month. The entire cost of all the food parcels was more than R200 000 and the donation forms part of an ongoing programme in which we try to address the challenges faced during the pandemic,” said Kgathole.
She added that they would be rolling out the programme to other parts of the Province.
“On Tuesday we donated personal protective equipment to health workers. We have to give a hand in trying to flatten the curve of infection. We will assist in the different areas as the need rises and our budget allows,” Kgathole said.
The project manager of food and nutrition at the Department of Social Development, Mpho Putu, said they always advised donors to give a food parcel that not only maintains a family but can also give the beneficiaries the required nutrition.
“We have adopted the distribution of food parcels during the pandemic but will have to return to the previous way of doing things after the pandemic. When one distributes a food parcel you cannot monitor the development of the beneficiary and if the food parcel has nutritional benefits. Our society is faced with many ailments such as obesity and many residents are required to follow a specific diet. People can eat if they are given a food parcel but we also need to ensure that the food is nutritious,” Putu said.
The MEC for Social Development, Martha Bartlett, applauded the two companies for their donations.
“We are extremely humbled by the continuous response of corporate South Africa who have lent a hand in this fight. Had it not been for the contribution of the corporate world, government would not have been able to continue to assist the poor as our coffers have run dry. We call on all corporates to get in contact with the department in their area to assist the communities,” said Bartlett.