Supermarket chain Pick n Pay has started a relief fund to provide food and basic hygiene essentials to the most vulnerable during lockdown, and is inviting all South Africans to help feed the nation.
The chain has also launched digital grocery vouchers – a safe and easy way to make sure someone you care for has access to essential items.
The “Feed the Nation” campaign will help those South Africans who rely on meal donations every day, and those who don’t have a support system to fall back on during this crisis, says Suzanne Ackerman-Berman, transformation director at Pick n Pay.
“School closures have meant that many schoolchildren who were dependent on school feeding schemes for their main – sometimes only – meal of the day, have been left without food. Shelters for the homeless and orphanages who depend on public generosity are now without aid.”
The chain is encouraging customers to help by donating at any Pick n Pay till or through their website (www.pnp.co.za/feed-the-nation). A donation of just R21 will provide a daily meal to someone in need for a week.
All cash donations will go directly to Joint Aid Management (JAM) and FoodForward SA (FFSA), with a focus on children and shelters. Collectively they work with organisations throughout South Africa and feed over 500 000 people daily.
Pick n Pay has contributed an initial R5 million together with the Ackerman family, and chief executive officer, Richard Brasher, has also offered to donate half his salary this month to the campaign, along with other group executives.
Select stores will also start introducing Feed the Nation collection trolleys in stores for local welfare and charity organisations to help feed people in the store’s immediate community. Customers can also donate Smart Shopper points to FoodForward SA (this can be done via the Pick n Pay app or in-store at the kiosk).
Digital vouchers are available through Webtickets or at any Pick n Pay Money Counter. Vouchers will be available from R50 up to R1 000 and once purchased, customers can simply send the digital grocery voucher to anyone via SMS or email.
The recipient will get a message with the voucher value and a unique voucher code, which they then use when paying for their purchases at any Pick * Pay store.
