Let us Feed a Family, a non-profit organisation founded by Estelle Geduld from Voëlvlei during the pandemic to provide meals for people, received a welcome donation of R15 000 on Friday 18 August – thanks to employees from the Ackermans Head Office.
Before handing over the ceremonial cheque, Tamryn Henry Bennett and her team from the central buying department assisted Geduld in giving a meal to homeless people and jobseekers on the street in Kuils River on Friday morning.
Bennett said teams from different departments of Ackermans are encouraged annually to find a local charity to support as part of the company’s Ububele project. “Ubebele means generosity and kindness. We need to give of our time and earn our R10 000 – made available by Ackermans – that goes straight to the charity of our choice.”
The team had a chance to add another R5 000 to their donation with an in-house competition held on Mandela Day, Bennett explained. “We needed to explain why they should choose our charity, and we also did a little dance.”
End period poverty
The Ackermans team also joined Geduld at Soneike High School on Friday where they met up with Deseré Arendse of Healing Health Zone who supported Geduld’s Women’s Month sanitary towel drive. Packs of sanitary towels were handed out to around 200 school girls.
Arendse had some word of encouragement for the girls and reminded them that menstruation is nothing to be ashamed about.
Ending poverty
She said her drive is to end period poverty.
“Government is distributing millions of free condoms and young girls are still falling pregnant.
“Why can’t sanitary pads be free if condoms are free? Sanitary pads should be provided at all public schools.”
Arendse said her organisation is mainly supported by the MENstruation Foundation.
Let Us Feed a Family cooks and serves food in Kalkfontein, Happy Valley and Wesbank. Occasionally they host events for children, giving them a meal, treats, stationery and toiletries.
Contact Geduld at letusfeedafamily@gmail.com
