The food bank, set up to feed families worst affected by the lockdown, is situated at the Ekurhuleni Fresh Produce Market in Springs and closed its doors today (July 3).
The mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mzwandile Masina, confirmed in a statement he would today be officially closing down the Ekurhuleni Covid-19 Food Bank, which the City opened a month after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of a nationwide lockdown.
Since its inception, the food bank has provided much-needed food relief to those in need.
“Mayor Masina will close the food bank via a webinar session with donors and stakeholders. During his webinar address, the mayor will also talk about his long-term vision for partnerships with business and other stakeholders in the age of Covid-19,” said the mayor’s spokesperson, Phakamile Mbengashe.
Meanwhile, prior to the official closing session, the mayor led the final leg of the food parcel distribution operation in eMandleni informal settelement in Wattville.
A very special thank you to the selfless young people who volunteered their time and energy in packing & distributing food parcels across the City. The people of Ekurhuleni salute you! #CoEFoodbank pic.twitter.com/eoNtNOSS1Z
— Mzwandile Masina (@mzwandileMasina) July 3, 2020
Spike in Food Parcels Demand
This publication was recently inundated with calls from families complaining they applied for food parcels during the first 21 days of the nationwide lockdown, but have not received anything yet.
Community leaders in the informal settlements and townships also raised concerns over lockdown-related hunger and loss of income, saying thousands of households with children and people with health issues go hungry or rely on feeding schemes and other food charities.
Informal traders also lost months of income and are still struggling to get back on their feet. @MthuphaFanie
Also Read: Metro’s food bank grappling with surging requests for food parcels
