Mercedes-Benz South Africa will provide food relief in the form of 1,000 food parcels to vulnerable communities based in the Eastern Cape. Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has partnered with the largest disaster response nongovernmental organisation (NGO), Gift of the Givers Foundation to distribute the food parcels that will benefit over 5,000 people ahead of the festive season.
As a responsible corporate citizen, MBSA will start the distribution of 1,000 food parcels to Mdantsane, Buffalo Flats and Duncan Village communities, in efforts to provide food relief, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commenting on the handover, Abey Kgotle, Executive Director Human Resources & Corporate Affairs at Mercedes-Benz South Africa said: “Since the start of the lockdown, Mercedes-Benz South Africa has prioritised East London for its COVID-19 relief efforts. Today is no exception. As a company, MBSA is acutely aware of the threat of COVID-19 and the very real fear of hunger. To alleviate the plight of food insecurity and hunger in the region, our handover of food parcels today is an extension of our corporate social responsibility efforts to support East London’s most vulnerable communities with food relief as a result of the pandemic.”
MBSA partnered with the Gift of the Givers Foundation to coordinate the distribution of the food parcels and provide the communities with food essentials parcels that would sustain families of five for a maximum of four weeks. The distribution of the food parcels is estimated to benefit 5,000 beneficiaries within the Eastern Cape communities. These parcels contain essential non-perishable food and vegetables.
Today’s initiative was also supported with the assistance and involvement of multiple stakeholders, inclusive of MBSA’s own employee and union representatives, Ward Councillors and community leaders. The multi-stakeholder initiative involved the identification of the neediest families to ensure that food parcels benefit the most vulnerable members of the targeted communities in the Eastern Cape.
The handover was implemented with caution and in adherence to COVID-19 health and safety regulations.
Provided by Mercedes-Benz South Africa
