SANParks donates groceries to vulnerable communities

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GEORGE NEWS - On Monday afternoon, a SANParks team from the Wilderness section of the national park delivered 150 parcels of groceries to struggling families in Thembalethu, Le Vallia and Kleinkrantz.

This followed after residents of Knysna and surrounds had received parcels during the course of the morning.

The initiative was SANParks’ response to the need that has arisen due to the Covid-19-related lockdown. Acting general manager for SANParks' Garden Route National Park (GRNP), André Riley, said the need is great and they wanted to help sustain struggling families during the lockdown.

SANParks nationally secured a total of R6-million from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and SANParks Honorary Rangers to purchase food, hygiene products, educational material and water tanks to the benefit of 7 500 families in and around national parks across South Africa.

Phumla Nyathikazi, the socio-economic transformation officer for the Wilderness section, said it is important to pool resources togther to avoid duplication of groceries. To this end they have partnered with NGOs that focus on alleviating the burden of poverty for vulnerable communities.

Photo gallery: SANParks delivers food to hungry communities

“So, in working with established organisations like iThemba Lobomi, Famsa and Options, we are able to reach child-headed homes.

"We are encouraged by eyes lighting up as we deliver food to the most vulnerable. One group is of recently unemployed people as a result of Covid-19 and also child-headed households. Both groups have no form of income.”

Wilmarie Page of Thembalethu, a recipient of one of the parcels, thanked SANParks and said she will continue to ask God to bless officials.

This followed after residents of Knysna and surrounds had received parcels during the course of the morning.