Via the Solidarity Fund, organisations, companies and individuals are able to support the continued efforts from anywhere in the country.

Afrika Tikkun is one of four organisations selected for substantial grant funding from the Solidarity Fund. This is in order to provide food security for vulnerable households in the immediate term while COVID-19 related restrictions are in place.

This grant funding has allowed Afrika Tikkun to implement the Neighbour to Neighbour Support Program. This programme aims to mobilise a community-level response to COVID-19 in the areas in which they operate. It does this by becoming food distribution centres during a time where business-as-usual operations came to a halt due to the national lockdown.

Alef Meulenberg, incoming CEO of Afrika Tikkun, says, "Supplying food and essentials to the most vulnerable in our communities is not a sustainable solution, but it is absolutely crucial right now as we all navigate an uncertain future. We have gained enormous support from the likes of the Solidarity Fund to kickstart the program, but with possible lockdown extensions still in play, we need all the help we can get to continue this beneficial work."

Thus far, the programme has brought together privates, other non-profit organisations, community-based structures and the general public. This has resulted in 30 000 food parcels being distributed in its first four weeks of operation, 23,666 of which have been financed by the Solidarity Fund alone.

Meulenberg adds, "We could not have achieved this without the help of incredible affiliates such as the Solidarity Fund, Cans with Purpose, KFC Adds Hope, SA Harvest, Pick ‘n Pay Feed the Nation as well as donations from the general public."

Meulenberg concludes, "At this point, no one is sure when restrictions will be lifted. With this in mind, we need to continue with the work we are doing and for that to happen we will need support throughout this crisis. We are calling on all South Africans to support the initiative."

To donate, individuals can visit the Neighbour to Neighbour Support Program website.

For more information, visit www.afrikatukkun.org.