GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Garden Route Food Pantry's plea for help didn't fall on deaf ears.
Several organisations came forward to help after it recently came to light that the pantry may have to close due to a shortage of food and money.
The managing director, Carl van Blerk, last Monday thanked the community for helping, specifically mentioning SupaValue Foods, that has made a massive donation of meat products for the poor.
"A staggering 81 000 meals could be provided with the donation, making it one of the largest received to date," Van Blerk said.
"Donations such as these make a big difference in communities where many children almost never get to eat meat products.We are extremely grateful to all our donors and encourage more local businesses to get involved as well, as we can provide a Section 18A tax certificate for them to claim back on their annual returns."
Cold room storage
The George-based warehouse supports hundreds of feeding centres across the Garden Route, Klein Karoo and even into the Central Karoo.
As more fresh produce is being received, the need for cold room storage has become essential and Van Blerk asked that any business in the region that wants to sponsor or donate a cold room for this purpose, contact him.
Golf day
Being isolated from the metropoles means George-based NGOs get little to no support from the large NGO organisations who benefit from the large funding that is given for relief. The Food Pantry also tries to generate funds itself to help keep the doors open.
To this end, a golf day is being planned for 11 August at Kingswood.
Van Blerk stressed the importance of donating locally. He said most people want to see change that will positively affect the lives of those most in need.
"The reality is that there so many ways to contribute, whether being asked via a local Facebook page, a tin being rattled at the supermarket, adding a couple of rand to your fast food order or the heart-wrenching stories of suffering we hear on the radio. With so many in need, where do you contribute and how do you know where your change is going to end up?"
He asked people to continue making a difference. "Let's look at our own city and see where we can make a difference to the people we pass on our streets and where hunger stares us in the face every day. If we don't start looking after our own city, nobody else will. Donate locally and share the message."
Businesses or individuals who wish support the food pantry or take part in the golf day can contact Van Blerk on 082 826 0731 or carl@echo.org.za for more information.
Some of the food the pantry received.
The Garden Route Food Pantry is abuzz with activity thanks to large donations from local companies.
