FoodBank SA appeals for help for the hungry on World Food Day
(Media Release, 11 Oct 2011) A staggering 11 million people or 20% of South Africans don’t know where their next meal will come from. The non-profit company FoodBank SA, is creating a national food banking network to address this. To mark World Food Day on 16 October, FoodBank is encouraging the public to give up the cost of a meal by donating R20 to help feed hungry people.
Patrick Andries, National GM of FoodBank comments, ‘FoodBank has created a dedicated SMS line enabling the public to make instant donations. Simply SMS the word "Foodbank" to 40421 to make a R20 donation, which will allow us to feed 12 hungry people (Free sms’s do not apply and the campaign runs from 16 October 2011 until 31 January 2012). There’s no quicker or easier way to help those in need. Fighting hunger is also an extremely effective way to reduce crime, unemployment, ill health and poor education.’
FoodBank launched in 2009. In its first two years it donated approximately 32 million meals countrywide, with an estimated value of R121 million. The majority of this food would otherwise have ended up in landfills. The organisation already provides food support to more than 1000 agencies which collectively benefit more than 203 000 hungry South Africans - mostly orphans and vulnerable children, the aged, people suffering from HIV/Aids and the unemployed.
Andries continues, ‘At FoodBank, we offer a simple solution to sourcing, collecting and redistributing rescued food. Moreover, the support provided by FoodBank is highly cost effective: the average cost per meal donated for the past year was just R1,68. World Food Day presents us with an opportunity to really raise awareness amongst the public and continue our life saving work.’
Why not also join FoodBank’s Fill the Gap Club and make a monthly (or once off) donation to support a community, family or a child. For instance, a R75 donation will feed a child or adult for a month. Visit www.foodbank.org.za for more information on how you can make a difference.
Please don’t wait. Hunger doesn’t!
