According to the duo, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on most communities around the globe but especially on the disadvantaged communities and households who've experienced the loss of income.

They highlighted that in April, basic education minister Angie Motshekga stated that school nutrition programmes that feed close to 10 million pupils would be abandoned by the department.

The consequences of the pandemic and set regulations calling for the closures of schools and as such are that numerous children no longer have access to the daily school feeding schemes they have relied on previously, says the duo.

According to Siddiqca Hardev, human resource manager at Veer Steel Mills, satisfying the basic needs of children in vulnerable communities is a call-to-action many must act on during this uncertain time.

"Our future lies in the hands of the children of today and their academic strides (not being able to function at their best due to long hours of hunger) shouldn't be something that hinders their academic growth," says Hardev.

"That's why partnerships with NPOs such as Ummlomo are crucial, as they play a pivotal role in identifying these underprivileged schools who desperately need the aid from corporates such as ours, allowing children to face each academic day at their best," adds Hardev.

Ummlomo, founded by Zimasa Njoli, comprises an initiative called IAMRoyalty — a school initiative that seeks to deal with issues facing young people through a programme designed to encourage, build and provide wholeness to their livelihoods.

"This programme seeks to equip young girls and boys with essential life skills to face academic and social structures. Through this initiative, we also aim to supply the candidate or scholar with basic toiletries, school uniforms, shoes and food hampers," says Njoli.

Pimville Ward 22 Councilor representative Miso Magutyana extended gratitude towards the Ummlomo Foundation and Veer Steel Mills for bringing this initiative to Mdelwa Hlongwane Primary School in Pimville.

"Children at this school have faced many challenges but always remain resilient and motivated to push through all adversity. This demonstration of planting the seed of hope at the school has not only enriched the children's hearts but has served to encourage a strong-minded youth," says Magutyana.

Accepting the handover on behalf of the 250 children was Sibongile Khoza, the principal of Mdelwa Hlongwane Primary School. "We're filled with so much joy to be recipients of these hampers for our students and their families who need to pull strings to make ends meet," says Khoza.

"Thank you to the partnership between Veer Steel Mills and Ummlomo for creating a day that the students, teachers and families will never forget," adds Khoza.

Hardev and Veer Steel Mills has urged corporates to 'rise to the occasion' in aiding NPOs and to respond to the call to end the scourge of poverty.

"We are grateful for companies like Veer Steel Mills who did not hesitate to heed our call for help to make this day possible," concludes Njoli.

For more information, visit www.veersteelmills.co.za. You can also follow Veer Steel Mills on Facebook or on Twitter.