City calls for donations for residents in need

While many of us are spending our lockdowns in a comfortable space with enough food, there are many Cape Town residents who have to brave the cold and hunger for the remainder of the 21 days. The City of Cape Town is working with various NGOs to facilitate donations to help the most vulnerable.

Beneficiaries will include homeless persons who are being moved to the City’s temporary shelter in Strandfontein, residents at old age homes and frail care centres, and the indigent.

“The call for donations comes after an exercise to establish a network of Non-Governmental Organisations that are available and able to partner with the City during this time,” Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said in a statement. “The City realises that donation drop-offs will have to be done differently to ensure adherence to the lockdown regulations. To this end, the Disaster Risk Management Centre has established a dedicated number – 021 597 6004, as well as an email address, which is [email protected].”

One of the NGO partners, the South African Red Cross Society, has also established a point of contact for donations. The public can contact them on 021 797 5360 or via email – [email protected]

“A critical need that has been identified is blankets. The City realises that, because stores are closed, residents are not able to buy blankets. So we appeal for any spare blankets from your home that are clean and in good condition. There is also a list of food items that will be used to make food parcels for indigent residents. Trolleys have been made available at Shoprite/Checkers and Pick n Pay stores, so we ask the public to deposit any food donations in these trolleys when they leave home to top up on essential goods,” Smith added.

“We will also ask that trolleys be made available for single donations of blankets. However, anyone who is in a position to donate larger quantities is asked to please reach out to our Disaster Management Centre or the Red Cross Society using the contact details provided, so that we can arrange for collection.”

A list of recommended foodstuff is outlined below:

 The City further appeals to donors to please ensure the integrity of the packaging of donated goods and to be mindful of food safety guidelines. Packaged food should be donated in the original, unopened packaging with ingredient labels.

Do not donate:

– Canned foods with dented and/or rusted tins

– Foods in opened or torn containers (e.g. crushed boxes or packaging) exposing the food to potential contamination

– Leaking packaging

 “The COVID-19 pandemic is unrivalled in terms of its impact, not just in terms of the threat to human health, but it has also inflicted unprecedented economic hardship on so many in our country, and in fact many countries around the world. However, what has become apparent in the last week is the sense of solidarity between South Africans and the willingness to help others. Cape Town has an established track record as a very giving city and we appeal to our residents who are able to spare something extra during this turbulent time, to build on that track record and please reach out and help where they can,” Smith said. 

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