Life Healthcare has donated R1.5m towards a food relief project that will provide approximately 4,000 food parcels to communities across Gauteng, the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, North-West, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State.

This initiative forms part of the COVID-19 relief programme and will play an active role in assisting South Africans during these trying and hard times. Each food parcel will include non-perishables and high protein food to feed a family of four for a month. 

“Now more than ever South African’s need to come together and give of their time, resources and talents to assist those in need and work together to ensure we make a tangible impact and alleviate the immense burden that this pandemic has caused,” says Ansuyiah Padayachee, community and external affairs manager at Life Healthcare Group.

Through identified networks across the various regions, both the Gift of the Givers and The Lunchbox Fund will distribute the food parcels on behalf of Life Healthcare during Mandela Week.

“Mandela Day this year brings with it a different, intensified need to provide much needed support to those who have suffered immensely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the national lockdown that has seen unemployment rates soar and many lose their sources of income,” says Badr Kazi, Director at Gift of the Givers.

“South Africa finds itself in a fragile state due to the COVID-19 pandemic and requires a collective effort in supporting those who have experienced the devastating impact of the virus, as well as the nationwide lockdown. Support and aid for those who are vulnerable, and suffering needs to extend far beyond Mandela Day with the continued support from business’s,” says Sue Wildish, Managing Director of The Lunchbox Fund.

“Life Healthcare remains committed to playing an active role in supporting South Africans during these challenging times as majority of families struggle to provide basic necessities,” concludes Padayachee.

About Gift of the Givers

The Gift of the Givers Foundation is the largest disaster response, non-governmental organisation of African origin on the African continent and works to unite people, with a common vision, to make a real and telling difference by serving mankind for the ‘Greater Good’. Assistance is provided unconditionally; assisting the needy, irrespective of human or animal, race, religion, colour, class, political affiliation of geographic location.

About The Lunchbox Fund

The Lunchbox Fund is a non-profit organisation providing a daily meal for orphaned and vulnerable school children in township and rural areas of South Africa. The organisation was founded by South African model Topaz Page-Green.