Thu Jun 23 08:41:00 UTC 2016
The Shoprite Group, together with Agri SA has responded to a call for assistance from the drought stricken community of Steinkopf in Namaqualand by donating food hampers and feed pellets to impacted community members and farmers alike.
The donations are aimed at mitigating the disastrous socio-economic impact of water and food shortages on local people.
A community handover event took place at the Ubuntu Hall in Steinkopf on Friday 17 June, with representatives from Shoprite, Agri SA as well as the local community present. Shoprite’s Mobile Soup Kitchen served a warm cup of soup to locals after the handover took place.
The agricultural community of Steinkopf has been facing persistent and debilitating drought conditions since June last year. Local and small scale farmers have lost a large number of livestock as a result of the drought, with poverty and unemployment further compounding the situation in the local community.
Shoprite’s involvement forms part of its #ActForChange initiative which has seen the retailer join forces with customers in support of local communities facing serious challenges such as drought and food shortages. Well over R200,000 has been raised for drought relief efforts through customer donations at Shoprite and Checkers stores across the country during the months of March and April this year.
Shoprite has partnered with Agri SA to ensure that the funds raised through its #ActForChange initiative reach those communities most impacted by the drought, such as in Steinkopf. Shoprite believes in a collaborative approach to address issues such as drought and hunger relief, and will continue to work with its partners to make an impact.
Customers wanting to make a difference in their local communities can still contribute to the #ActForChange Fund by simply adding R5 or more to their purchase at the till point of any Shoprite or Checkers store across the country.
