Nov 16, 2020
Since the start of the national lockdown in South Africa, the Shoprite Group has donated surplus food and goods worth over R60 million from our stores and distrubution centres to over 300 local verified beneficiaries.
The Group believes in making a meaningful difference in the lives of our communities. Further hunger relief efforts include investing in over 100 community food gardens, complete with training, gardening tools and plant material.
Here’s how it’s changing lives:
Helping The Elderly
At Residentia Hermon, a frail care facility in Pretoria North, life in lockdown meant that their 86 staff members had to move in to take care of the elderly residents of the home. The home was established in the early 1970s and offers residents three meals a day as well as medical and other care.
“All of a sudden we had to provide daily meals for staff members as well as our residents. We managed largely thanks to the surplus food we collect daily from Checkers Hyper Mayville. We are very grateful to have a partner like Checkers, on whom we can depend for support at all times.”
- Lorette Smith, manager of Residentia Hermon
A Safety Net For Hungry Children
In 2015, Sophy Mangoke took over the reins at Abangani Enkosini, an organisation that provides home-based care for people living with HIV/Aids as well as feeds orphaned and vulnerable children and the elderly in Alexandra.
- Sophy Mangoke, CEO of Abangani Enkosini
Retired pastor from Kwadukuza not slowed down by lockdown
Shakaville resident Simon Kwesaba continued to care for his community during lockdown by providing food parcels from the donation of surplus food he received from Checkers Mount Richmore Village. He adds to the food parcels using fresh produce from his Checkers-supported food garden, Seed of Hope.
“During the hard lockdown children did not go to school and were missing out on the daily meal they would normally get from there. Because of Checkers’ support we were able to increase how frequently we served food: from once a week to once a day. I can’t begin to express how grateful I am to Checkers for their unwavering support through the years and especially now during this particularly difficult time.”
- Simon Kwesaba, Shakaville resident
- Simon Kwesaba, Shakaville resident