GEORGE NEWS - A Clothing and Blanket Drive by Pick n Pay in partnership with Operation Smile South Africa, SOS Children’s Villages and Rays of Hope is aimed at reaching out and helping those in need keep warm during the cold of winter.
An appeal is made to Georgians to bring new or clean, previously used blankets and children’s clothing to Pick n Pay Clothing at Eden Meander Lifestyle Centre where a collection box is available. Collections boxes have been put up at various branches throughout the country.
Customers can also pledge a direct donation to Operation Smile by scanning the Snap Scan or Zapper code at PnP Clothing till points at participating stores.
The Charity Collection Drive bins to place blankets and children’s clothing will be available until mid-October in selected PnP Clothing stores nationwide. DHL Supply Chain and DHL Express have also partnered in the initiative and will collect all donations from stores and deliver them to beneficiaries of Operation Smile, SOS Children’s Villages and Rays of Hope.
Lauren Bright, Country Manager at Operation Smile, says through this initiative with Pick n Pay, they are hoping to help keep children and vulnerable people warm. "Partnering with other NPOs is key right now for strengthening nationwide support and we are so excited to have SOS Children’s Villages and Rays of Hope as the additional beneficiaries."
Suzanne Ackerman-Berman, transformation director at Pick n Pay, says their Feed the Nation campaign is proof of what can be achieved with strong collaboration.
"Working with customers and organisations, over 18 million meals have been donated to those most in need since lockdown started through this campaign."
Ray of Hope – which looks after families in Alexandra Township – says they are hugely grateful to be a beneficiary. “We have been based in Alexandra for almost 30 years and work with a network of organisations in the area so we know that the donated items will be equitably distributed to the most vulnerable people. We're excited about bringing hope to Alex in this way,” says Mr Sihle Mooi, CEO Rays of Hope.
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