Providing services to the vulnerable groups of the society, the poor of the poorest, the marginalised and the disadvantaged groups took a new turn on Friday, 28 June 2013, when the department officially launched Food and Clothing Bank campaign at the provincial office recently.
The campaign is aimed at giving hope and changing lives of the poor and the vulnerable children and women by donating food and clothing. This initiative was pronounced by the Honourable MEC Dr. Pemmy Majodina in her 2013/14 Policy Speech.
In partnership with Masimanyane Women Support Centre, the department is also implementing a “Collect-a-Can” campaign as part of the Food Bank initiative. This initiative would see the Department collecting non- perishable items and clothing in support of the White Door Centres of Hope so that the women and children who are kept at these centres can eat and be clothed.
Chief Information Officer Sunny Cheriyan said the department is tasked with the responsibility to accelerate efforts aimed at improving the quality of life of all people through facilitating enabling conditions for the protection and development of the poor and vulnerable.
“We come across families, especially women and children, who find themselves being victims of economic and social hardship. Let us support this initiative, and fill the boxes provided in our offices and in all district offices.”
The campaign’s coordinator, the Amathole Distirct Communicator, Xolisa Mgwatyu said the campaign will not only benefit a specific area, but will spread across other Districts giving hope to the needy and vulnerable. “It is therefore my plea to every staff member to make a donation to this worthy cause. There are poor people in our communities, therefore I urge people to be open handed towards our brothers and sisters, the poor and the needy,” he said
Some provincial office staff members started showing support on the day by donating some non-perishable items and clothing. One of the staff members who were part of the launch Sibusiso Mlondolozi said he fully supports the initiative. “It needs not to end here; the department must make sure that we do this every day, week, month and every year. I really support the campaign,” he said.
The distribution of the items collected will be held in the months of July for the needy children and in August for Women as the nation will be commemorating Women’s Month.
