uMhlathuze City food bank established to deal with relief aid
City mayor announces that 2000 food parcels will be rolled out in the first batch of the Food Bank distribution
AT LEAST 10 000 people will benefit from the City of uMhlathuze’s social relief programme – Food Bank, which was launched on Friday at the city’s Disaster Management Centre in Alton, Richards Bay.
The beginning of what is said to become a permanent programme, the city has secured 2000 food parcels in the inception phase with numerous other pledges and donations coming through.
Mayor Mdu Mhlongo said the plan is to begin with the first group of beneficiaries this week, and continue mobilising social partners to donate non-perishable food, hygiene items and fresh produce.
‘We want to ensure we always have food reserves available to intervene and assist the needy.
‘We are establishing a central process that will be effective, transparent and fair to all beneficiaries,’ Mhlongo said.
‘We will be able to properly assess who qualifies and keep track of those who have already received assistance.
‘We want to do away with silo donations by organisations and businesses and rather try and coordinate government assistance through departments and entities such as SASSA and the Department of Social Development to avoid double dipping,’ the mayor said.
At the launch, local industries pledged their support too with Richards Bay Minerals announcing a R1.5 million rand contribution to support uMfolozi and City of uMhlathuze municipalities as well as the King Cetshwayo District Municipality.
Other city partners such as the Red Cross Society, Al Imdaad Foundation and many others have made substantial donations too.
The mayor highlighted that only food donations will be accepted.
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