Source: The Herald Online, 23 Jul 2009
THE much anticipated FoodBank Port Elizabeth plans to provide 20 million meals by the end of the year, said FoodBank SA chairman Crispin Sonn at the organisation's official launch yesterday.
Other FoodBanks in the country are in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
Sonn told guests at the launch held at the PE Golf Club that collaboration with business sectors and the community would ensure that their target of providing 20 million meals by this year was met.
"South Africa is a surplus producer of food yet two million people are food insecure - they live in hope. This shows that something is wrong with our infrastructure," he said.
Sonn said FoodBank SA aimed to ensure food relief against the economy weathering a recession.
"Food security is a moral and social imperative. Poor people must not live in hope. If we want to secure a future let's start with food," Sonn said.
Guests also heard from FoodBank PE director Collin Fox how the venture needed the help of all co-operatives to run successfully.
He said 40 beneficiaries had been chosen but the aim was to reach 120 non-profit organisations and faith-based charities in the city.
Besides food, Fox said FoodBank also needed rental for the warehouse, auditor's services, transport and salaries for staff.
FoodBank SA director Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana said a strategy had to be put in place to ensure food was delivered to the needy, and to do this moral commitment from the government was needed.
"Good access food is stored for a day of need, but for the poor it's every day," said Mpumlwana.
FoodBank also plans an outreach programme for the rural areas where people will be supported through gardening programmes so they can earn an income from food processing industries.
"This will ensure economic growth and rural productivity so people don't just depend on social grants," said Mpumlwana.
Social Development deputy general Vuyelwa Nhlapo said the government was excited to be associated with FoodBank.
"The Department of Social Development recently signed a R3,3-million contract for the next financial year (2009/10) with FoodBank SA," he said.
Economic Development councillor Nomsa Swarts said she hoped the running of FoodBank PE would be successful and well-maintained despite the recession.
"For this country to run successfully we have to realise unemployment as well as the recession has become a reality.
"We are recovering but there is still a long way to go," said Swarts.
