As bad weather made landfall in the Western Cape on the weekend of the 6–7 April, several retail chains showed the love by donating thousands of rands’ worth of food and other supplies to communities hardest hit by the massive storms.
Gale-force winds stripped roofs off dwellings and fanned blazes in several areas at the weekend. NGO Gift of the Givers was active in 17 areas by Monday, after being on high alert following Level 9 weather warnings by the South African Weather Service last week, reports Daily Maverick.
Gift of the Givers founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, urged public and private entities to join forces and assist those affected by the storms.
“We call upon members of our community that have been endowed with good fortune to respond to the needs of those less fortunate. We build positive human relationships through such endeavours. This is what our humanity, which is an integral part of South African DNA, demands of us,” Sooliman said.
He highlighted the generosity of corporate CSI managers but urged that they respond to disasters within 24 to 48 hours, when help was most vital.
Shoprite and Checkers joined hands with the charity to distribute warm meals, non-perishable groceries, hygiene packs and blankets to affected communities, according to BizCommunity.
Woolworths donated R250 000 directly to Gift of the Givers, which is the retail giant’s disaster relief partner, to use wherever it was needed most.
Meanwhile, about 1 000 residents of Kayamandi, Stellenbosch, who were displaced over the weekend, received warm meals from Shoprite’s mobile soup kitchens.
Refreshments were also doled out to the hardworking emergency and frontline workers instrumental in providing disaster relief.
“We are committed to supporting the communities that we are a part of during times of disaster and remain in close contact with the relevant relief organisations to determine what aid is required and how we can be of further support,” said Sanjeev Raghubir, head of sustainability and CSI at the Shoprite Group.
Zinzi Mgolodela, director of corporate affairs at Woolworths, said many parts of the country were facing a humanitarian crisis after the storms.
“Our priority is assisting Woolies staff who have been affected by the treacherous conditions, and ensuring they are supported. We further extend our sincere sympathy to those who have suffered loss as a result of the storms.”
Shoprite and Checkers customers were urged to donate as little as R5 to the #ActForChange Fund at the till points in all Shoprite, Checkers and Usave supermarkets nationwide. Woolworth customers can also donate at till points either by cash or card
Those wanting to support current disaster initiatives can make a deposit at:
Gift of the Givers
Standard Bank
Account number: 052137228
Branch Code: 051001
Reference: Disasters
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