DHL representatives showed support of FoodForward SA in Johannesburg this past week as part of DHL’s 1 000 000 meals by December campaign.
Recently launched, the campaign will see the global leader in express logistics show valuable support to two iconic food distribution charities, FoodForward SA and Mother Soup. The goal is for these two charities, with the assistance of DHL, to prepare and deliver a combined total of 1 000 000 meals to various communities in need by December.
Zama Sithole, DHL HR Business Partner – Ground Ops, was excited to volunteer at FoodForward SA for the day. “This is an amazing initiative,” says Sithole. “DHL literally means it when we say ‘we connect people, improving their lives’. This is another beautiful example. I really enjoyed the tour that the Manager gave us. It was great to learn about the history of FoodForward SA, where it all started and the impact that they have daily in our communities. I also enjoyed packing the food pallet. It’s a good feeling knowing that I assisted in bringing a smile to someone’s face.”
According to Trishan Pillay, DHL Customer Service Executive – In-house, the campaign is a great idea. “We need to have more campaigns like this one. It means a lot to be able to give back to our community and I am grateful to have the opportunity to do so with such a great company that I work for. I really enjoyed the chats and laughs that were shared with my DHL Team. It felt really good to make a difference together.”
“I fully support giving back to our community, especially in the form of one’s time,” says Manana Chotetsi, DHL Field Sales Executive. “DHL’s 1 000 000 meals campaign is a great initiative. Not only does it combat hunger, but it also gives DHL employees the opportunity to get involved. Our visit was an eyeopener to the reality that faces many communities. I enjoyed hearing about how organisations are making a difference.”
Established in 2009 to address widespread hunger in South Africa, FoodForward SA connects a world of excess to a world of need by recovering edible surplus food from farmers, manufacturers and retailers, for redistribution to registered beneficiary organisations that serve the poor. FoodForward SA calls this cost-effective model Foodbanking.
“We loved having DHL’s employees at the FoodForward SA distribution centres in Johannesburg,” says Andy Du Plessis, FoodForward SA Managing Director. “Their eagerness to learn about the organisation and show support was heart- warming. We are always thankful for monetary support, but there is something really special about people offering up their time. We look forward to the next couple of weeks of working alongside DHL and its employees as we chip away at the 1 000 000 meals total.”
The second charity to form part of DHL’s 1 000 000 meals by December Campaign, Mother Soup was founded during lockdown and focusses on supplying nutritious hot soup to hungry communities in the Cape Town metropolitan area as part of a community-led initiative to help those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
DHL employees in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban will be volunteering at both FoodForward SA and Mother Soup for the duration of November and December in support of DHL’s 1 000 000 meals by December Campaign.
Facebook: DHL / @foodforwardsa / @mothersoupproject @WoodstockBrewery
Instagram: DHL / @foodforwardsa / @woodstockbrewery @mother.soup.project
For further information on FoodForward SA visit www.foodforwardsa.org, for further information on Mother Soup visit www.mothersoup.co.za and for further information on DHL visit www.dhl.com
