ETHIOPIA – PepsiCo Ethiopia, has unveiled a US$250,000 initiative in partnership with Mekedonia Humanitarian Association to provide meals to the most vulnerable communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
Give Meals Give Hope initiative led the Ethiopian subsidiary of the multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation, PepsiCo and its philanthropic arm, The PepsiCo Foundation, will serve more than 420,000 meals to communities most impacted by the socio-economic crisis caused by the pandemic.
PepsiCo’s Sergio Paya, General Manager Sub-Saharan Africa Beverages said, “We launched the Give Meals, Give Hope program to meet the basic needs of the most impacted segments of the Ethiopian population.”
“As one of the leading food and beverages companies in Ethiopia and across the African continent, we believe that we have a responsibility to focus on providing essential food items to those affected by this pandemic,” he stated.
According to the Mekedonia General Manager, Benyam Belete, the donation will be able to provide meals consistently for 2,000 people for more than 100 days.
“It is a pleasure to partner with PepsiCo on this important meal initiative. Meals truly do bring hope and as an organization that works with the elderly and with people with special needs, we understand the impact COVID-19 has had on marginalized Ethiopians,” he added.
The relief program is part of a US$45 million global initiative launched by PepsiCo and The PepsiCo Foundation, focused on helping people and communities most affected by this devastating virus.
The company is funding vital support including protective gear for healthcare workers, testing and screening services, and is already in the process of distributing more than 50 million nutritious meals to at-risk populations by supporting Food Banks and other partners around the world, reports EthiopianReporter.
In addition, the food giant has launched a new US$7 million program Help Address Rates of Infection, Joblessness and the Dearth of Vital Resources Needed in Black and Latino U.S. Communities Disproportionately Afflicted by COVID-19.
PepsiCo said that the US$7 million initiative is a comprehensive project to support immediate relief and long-term recovery to the communities through the National Urban League, UnidosUS and local nonprofits across the nation.
The company is donating an additional US$5 million to local nonprofit partners to provide support and services that meet the specific needs of Black and Latino communities, including COVID-19 testing and screening, access to affordable nutrition, healthcare services, education, job training business resources as well as economic and childcare assistance and family and senior housing.
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