Bringing relief to poor left in cold

HUNGER and cold impact deeply on the soul, especially when parents cannot provide food or warmth for their vulnerable children and families.

It is distressing and painful for parents to endure such situations.

We as fellow humans can make a difference through practical, dignified interventions.

The Star and Gift of the Givers once again embark on our Winter Warmth partnership campaign, with support of the Independent Media, as well as Shoprite/ Checkers.

The aim is to deliver a larger quantity of blankets, new clothing, food parcels and provide hot meals during certain distributions. The Shoprite Group has already contributed 17 400 blankets and 7 000 food parcels to the campaign. Many more are expected. Support has also come in from the Foschini Group that has given us 40 000 blankets over the last few months, valued at R6 million, many of which have already been distributed.

The official campaign commences on Monday; corporates and the public are encouraged to help us make a difference in the lives of so many vulnerable people in our country.

There are many ways to make a contribution. We encourage the purchase of food items, blankets or both. Donations can be dropped at Gift of the Givers or at Independent’s main branches in each region of the country. Alternatively, these items can be purchased specifically at select Shoprite/Checkers stores in Gauteng, Durban and Pietermaritzburg, Western Cape and Kimberley. All items will be handed to Gift of the Givers to distribute throughout the country.

Deposit cash donations into Gift of the Givers’ account: Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, account number 052137228 and branch Code 057525. Send deposit slips to sooliman@giftofthegivers.org. Section 18A tax certificates are issued on request. For more details, call Imtiaz Sooliman on 083 236 4029.