Meals on Wheels is currently serving 2 million meals a month to more than 12 million hungry South Africans, and they distribute food to more than 700 service points throughout the country.
Johannesburg, South Africa (16 October 2020) – Today, 16 October is World Food Day, a day which aims to promote awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure healthy diets and access for food – for all. The day also seeks to shine a spotlight on the plight of 870 million undernourished people in the world.
This year, World Food Day takes place during an exceptional time as many countries are dealing with the widespread effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which poses a huge threat to food security. The COVID-19 global health crisis has been a time to reflect on the things we truly cherish and our most basic needs. These uncertain times have made many of us rekindle our appreciation for things that some may take for granted, and many go without food.
Therefore, in response and solidarity to the global pandemic and as part of our values, Meals on Wheels, a fully-fledged and recognised non-profit organization will be preparing 250 000 meals and 10 000 food parcels to feed underprivileged people in respective communities which they operate in.
“About 11 million people in South Africa do not know where their next meal will come from, or when and our aim is to serve the basic needs of the poorest of the poor, the vulnerable, the disabled and the elderly in society,” said Yanela Takawira, Meals on Wheels’ Training and Development Manager. “Feeding the nation is our core business, and on World Food Day, it is so important to highlight the issue of hunger and malnutrition within our communities.”
The NGO has also launched a Smallholder Farmer Development Project, a project that aims to empower and upskill the youth from underprivileged backgrounds on agriculture to address the critical issue of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition. This initiative is rooted in the company’s purpose, which is to eliminate dependency syndrome, through skills development and farming and food gardens at schools and communities.
“Meals on Wheels’ work is not just about gardening or growing food,” Takawira adds “it is also about growing people and empowering them with the skills and resourcefulness to help themselves on many fronts, from earning their own money, to supporting their families.”
By helping unemployed people and youth to engage in farming activities, no matter where they are in life, we can open up many more doors to them. They will be able to consider things that never seemed possible before: – ability to generate an income, the chance to get out of poverty – and achieve new levels of personal success.
The NGO is currently serving 2 million meals a month to more than 12 million hungry South Africans, and they distribute food to more than 700 service points throughout the country.
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