Today, the Shoprite Group’s supply chain team visited the Delft Community Health Centre and in partnership with Bless-a-Baby donated ‘Bags of Hope’ to new mothers.
The NPO started this drive in 2002 in response to the dire need of mothers who leave public hospitals without necessities like nappies, clothing or basic toiletries. The ‘Bag of Hope’ contains a 0-3 months baby grow, vest, jersey set, receiving blanket, baby soap, petroleum jelly, disposable nappies, earbuds, surgical spirits, face cloth for the baby; and toothpaste and brush, shampoo and maternity pads for mom.
Throughout July, former President Nelson Mandela’s birthday month, the retailer is mobilising its 147 000-strong employee base to become a force for change in the communities they serve. They will be assisting at food gardens, serving with its fleet of 19 Mobile Soup Kitchens and finding practical ways of strengthening relations with organisations that benefit from its surplus food donations. Stores are also organising community cleanups in conjunction with recycling partners.
“Beyond promoting volunteerism within our ranks, we are keen to launch a movement of active citizens, explains the Group’s CSI spokesperson, Lunga Schoeman. “We are therefore encouraging our customers to join us in doing good by signing up to any of the initiatives listed on www.actforchange.africa.”
“For us, every day is Mandela Day as we remain true to our commitment to fight hunger, support early childhood development and act for change in our communities,” Schoeman continues.
The Group does this through many initiatives including:
- Its 84 sustainable community food gardens which support 18 000 people.
- Its support of 54 early childhood development centres across South Africa, which has resulted in 3 700 children benefiting from trained carers, better school infrastructure and a daily meal.
- Shoprite’s Mobile Soup Kitchens that serve more than 16 000 nutritious meals every day to communities in need.
- Shoprite’s support of play pumps, which means 10 000 people have access to clean drinking water each day.
- The more than 100 organisations that benefit from surplus food donations from Shoprite and Checkers stores every week.
Caption: From left – Glynne Rosseli, Bless-A-Baby, Lunga Schoeman, Shoprite CSI spokesperson, Sister C Mills, Delft CHC and Rumi Namtuwa and little Shame
