MAD campaign ends

Fifty two people, three community organizations and a local school benefitted from the last Pick ‘n Pay Ramadan Make A Difference Campaign (MAD), which ended off on a high note at PNP Ottery on Friday afternoon. The grand finale saw a total of 62 people from various organizations and the Muslim community receive a small boost from the fifth campaign held over the last four weeks of Ramadan. Among the organisations were Little Fighters Cancer Trust and Vision Child and Youth Centre.

Mariam Barnes, who runs a feeding scheme in Mitchell's Plain, participated in a trolley dash held in store. Barnes was nominated by Koelthoem Khan who told VOC that Barnes and her children sell newspapers every Sunday come rain or shine and use the profit they make to buy ingredients for soup or food. The feeding scheme is run in Montrose Park. They then hand this out to those in need in their community, said Khan, adding that they do not have sufficient equipment and at times they borrow what they need from local businesses in the area.

The initiative which is mainly run by her children has been in operation since July last year and they also donate three pots of food to the Monteclar Place in Mitchells Plain. “This is not really my initiative but rather that of my children who are aged 11 and 12 and I am only supporting them. This allows them to see that not everyone is privileged enough to just open a fridge or pour them a glass of water,” said Barnes.

Barnes added that they are not registered as an NGO and that Mustadafin is already working in the area which means they do not have any sponsors. “When I was working I used to contribute towards the kitty from my own pocket. If we do not have money to buy gas or electricity we cook food on an open fire,” explained Barnes.

The groceries donated by PNP on Friday will be used to cook a meal for the community after Eid ul Fitr. Another recipient of PNP’s goodwill during this month was Grassdale High School who offers Hospitality as a subject. They were given a fridge to the value of approximately R4,000. The Acting Principal of the high school, Alperius Ellis said the fridge which they are currently using is 30 years old.

Sadie Ellie, who teaches the subject, said that the new fridge will go a long way in helping the learners improve on their current grades. “The fridge that we currently use is nearly 30 years old and ices up completely. This means that the food which needs to be refrigerated does not always last. We need a fridge to store the fresh produce and this will help the learners to improve their culinary skills,” said Ellie.

Mark Jennings, PNP marketing manager, told VOC the MAD campaign is in its seventh year. “The campaign was started seven years ago by Jonathan Ackerman and has been running ever since. The month of Ramadan is a very holy time of introspection and spiritual renewal. We wanted to make a difference in the lives of the needy with the help of Voice of the Cape listeners,” said Jennings.

Every week gift vouchers to the value of R10,000 is given away to individuals in the community nominated by loyal VOC listeners. “R40,000 of gift vouchers and other items are given away over a period of four weeks, but this year it was decided to double that amount to R80,000.” According to Jennings, this campaign forms of part of their corporate social responsibility programmes. “There is a great need out there and social responsibility is part of Pick n Pay’s DNA," he said.

In addition to the trolley dashes and fridge which was handed over, 40 food hampers were also distributed to those nominated by VOC listeners during the MAD campaign. While R80,000 was spent on goodwill this Ramadan, Jennings said they are not able to help everyone in need. “There is a great need in the community and during this campaign we have not been able to help everybody who was nominated during this year’s campaign,” said Jennings. VOC (Dorianne Arendse)