SOUTH AFRICA – FoodForward SA, the largest food redistribution organisation in South Africa has received a US$100,000 donation from the GE Foundation, to provide immediate relief to South Africa’s communities experiencing food insecurity.

The support was issued by GE Foundation as it marked the World Food Day, celebrated annually on 16 October, in line with its efforts to address the economic and social implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The donation will enable Food Forward SA to provide more than 20,000 people with one meal per day for 12 months in Soweto and Alexandra townships, which have been some of the hardest hit by the pandemic.

“We are grateful for the generous contribution made by the GE Foundation and look forward to growing the partnership. This donation will help us to address vulnerable beneficiaries in Soweto and Alexandra in Gauteng.

“Without the support of corporate partners such as GE, FoodForward SA would not be able to reach its network of 1,200 vetted beneficiary organisations through which we collectively feed nearly 700,000 people daily,” said Andy Du Plessis, Managing Director at FoodForward SA.

Food Forward SA is a leader in the relief effort, and its multiprong approach to combatting food insecurity through monthly distribution to local vetted partner organizations, daily pick-up sites in local retail outlets through its FoodShare digital foodbanking programme, and mobile drop offs in difficult-to-reach communities will provide thousands with access to food over the coming months.

“Whilst health responses have formed the centre of our COVID-19 relief efforts, we recognize that addressing immediate physiological needs such as providing stable access to food at this challenging time is equally critical in the battle against COVID-19,” said Nyimpini Mabunda, President of GE Southern Africa.

In addition to the organisation’s donation, GE employees can support relief efforts through its 1:1 Matching Gifts Programme.

The foundation created the matching gift concept in 1954, which continues to serve as an important element of the Foundation’s portfolio, with gifts matched in 2020 totaling US$16.8 million.

Since the onset of the pandemic, GE in collaboration with its partners has supported communities in South Africa.

Its Disaster and Humanitarian Relief program responds to major global disasters and humanitarian crises, drawing on GE’s people, technology and other resources to reduce suffering and hasten recovery.

Since 2020, GE Foundation’s philanthropic contribution in disaster relief totalled nearly US$5.4 million, which was largely focused on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, GE Foundation donated US$100,000 to relief efforts in Argentina and Peru, which are also experiencing a surge of COVID-19 infections.

GE remains committed to preparing for and responding to future natural disasters and humanitarian crises, diligently maximizing the impact of our financial, technological, and human resources.

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