KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Municipality is calling on residents, NGOs and business to support the vulnerable during the extended lockdown.
In a statement issued on Sunday 12 April, Knysna deputy mayor Aubrey Tsengwa explained that donations to the municipality would be used to purchase food relief packs for vulnerable families throughout Greater Knysna. Funds will also be allocated for the procurement of equipment for isolation and quarantine centres, he said.
"Our immediate need is to ensure that our people have access to essential food. The effects of the coronavirus have been severe with many Knysna residents having lost their normal income during this time," said Tsengwa.
He said the municipality has activated its social relief portal on its mobile app to register applications for support. "We appreciate the efforts of stakeholders such as Rotary, local church groups and other non-profit organisations in providing relief. It is important that every household in need be afforded an equal opportunity to access support. However, not everyone's qualification criteria are the same and without being prescriptive, we will ask our partners with similar relief programmes to share the details of their beneficiaries with us to prevent replications."
According to Tsengwa, three options are available to donors to support the municipality's efforts:
- Purchasing pre-packed food parcels directly from a supplier. "We will provide the relevant contact details and collect and distribute them," said Tsengwa.
- A monetary donation into the munici-pality's relief bank account: Nedbank current account no: 114 792 0699; universal branch code: 198-765; Swift code: NEDSZAJJ. Donors are to specify "FOOD" or "ISOLATION" in their deposit description.
- Donate products at Pick n Pay and Spar drop-off points in Knysna. The types of items that will make a big difference include toothpaste, soap bar, washing powder, dishwashing liquid, bleach, white sugar, sunflower oil, cold drink mix, cake flour, teabags, long life milk, pilchards in tin, macaroni, rice, corned meat, soup mix, coffee, mielie meal, yeast, salt, coffee, tea, samp, beans, and stock cubes.
"Knysna's people have always stood together in times of distress. The next time you go for your weekly shopping and you are able to donate, please remember those in need. Our collection points will be clearly marked for your convenience," said Tsengwa.
"Ward councillors and committees are assisting the municipality in identifying the most vulnerable households who will have to apply in order to benefit from this donation," Tsengwa concluded.
Find out more
Enquiries can be directed to Pam Booth a pbooth@knysna.gov.za or tel no 060 998 6967.
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