All Shoprite and Checkers stores across the country have a no wastage policy, and surplus food is donated to organisations such as Foodbank South Africa, who in turn redistribute the food to hundreds of verified Non-Profit Organisation’s collectively feeding thousands of hungry people daily. In 2015 alone, the Group donated close to R100-million worth of surplus food to organisations in need.
Shoprite has a fleet of 19 mobile soup kitchens servicing vulnerable communities across the country on a daily basis. Over 27-million meals have already been served since the mobile soup kitchens became operational in February 2007, and it continues to be an integral part of the group’s actions to alleviate hunger in local communities. Hunger relief is a core pillar of the group’s corporate social investment strategy.
Shoprite and Checkers customers can join forces to fight hunger in needy communities this winter by simply donating R5 or more to the Group’s #ActForChange fund at any store across the country.
Shoprite and Checkers set up the #ActForChange fund in March this year following requests by consumers wanting to be part of efforts that make a difference in communities affected by natural disasters such as the recent droughts, as well as in those communities experiencing serious challenges like poverty and food insecurity. The #ActForChange fund has already raised well over R200 000 from customer donations since its launch and hopes to raise even more through the winter months.
“It costs FoodBank South Africa R1.08 to provide enough food for one meal so a donation of R5 will allow us to provide nearly five meals. Considering that more than 13.8 million South Africans go hungry every day, we have a collective responsibility to work towards ending hunger in our country, and every little donation helps,” says Kate Hamilton, fund development manager at Foodbank South Africa.
You can #ActForChange this winter by donating R5 or more at any Shoprite or Checkers till-point nationwide.