Cape Town - A Bishop Lavis feeding programme that received a donation of food items and blankets worth over R100 000, plans pay it forward by sharing with surrounding community support projects.
The goods were donated to the Bishop Lavis Paradise feeding scheme, as Survé Philanthropies in collaboration with Cape Grand China concluded Mandela Month.
The handover took place on Tuesday at Greenlands Primary School, where the blankets and dry ingredients such as flour, rice, cooking oil and baked beans were donated, in aid of feeding the needy from different communities in Bishop Lavis, Belhar and Nooitgedacht.
Marcelle Lemour, from Bishop Lavis Paradise, said the donation will be split among families in need in the community, other feeding schemes in Bishop Lavis and surrounding areas, as well as Greenlands Primary School.
“The donation was overwhelming, I don’t have words to show our gratitude towards Cape Grand China.
“We are also able to help the Blikkiesdorp feeding scheme, who are also in need.
“Whenever Bishop Lavis Paradise gets huge donations like this, we like to bless other organisations because they don’t have the resources like we have, so we share our blessings with them.
“The blankets will help those who were affected by the recent floods especially in Malawi squatter camp.
“We also repack the goods in smaller parcels and give to families in need to go home and cook a meal so they have something to eat for the evening.”
Lamour said Greenlands Primary School and the Blikkiesdorp feeding scheme already received portion of the donation on Tuesday.
Cape Grand China shopping centre, a wholesale distribution centre for Chinese goods, is situated in Milnerton.
General manager, Yumei Shi, said they came across Bishop Lavis Paradise through chairperson, Hu Jianming, who has a long friendship with Lamour’s husband, Grant Lamour, and learned of his wife's many charitable activities.
“We are motivated to give back to the community of Cape Town, to build good will, and to spread the love. Under the guidance and support of the consulate general of China, our executive chairman Mr Hu Jianming rallied to source needed items for the under-privileged, to help them in this cold and wet winter,” said Shi.
Fatima Nitsckie from Survé Philanthropies said: “Donating food and goods to the community of Bishop Lavis can have a significant positive impact, especially for those who may be struggling financially or facing food insecurity. Bishop Lavis Paradise was the recipient of this donation, and they are sharing their contributions with other organisations.”
For any donation towards Bishop Lavis Paradise, contact 082 535 8833.
marsha.dean@inl.co.za