17 November 2017

Add Hope raises R5.83M during World Hunger Month

Submitted by: MyPressportal Team
Add Hope raises R5.83M during World Hunger Month

Every World Hunger Month, the Add Hope campaign raises awareness about hunger and malnutrition, encouraging an increase in donations which go to feed 120 000 children in need through partnerships with 137 local and national NGOs nationwide. During the month of October, including World Food Day on 16th October, R5.83 million was raised for Add Hope.

KFC Africa Public Affairs Director, Thabisa Mkhwanazi, says “On behalf of each of the 120 000 children all over South Africa that Add Hope feeds, we’d like to say thank you to all South Africans who donated and continue to donate. We really appreciate every donation and as KFC, we also continue to increase our own CSI contributions.  Together, we can give children a chance to learn, grow and thrive.” 

Mkhwanazi says the numbers tell a powerful story and show how Add Hope has been able to go from feeding 40 000 children in 2009, to over 120 000 today. “Add Hope has now raised over R400-million through KFC and customer donations combined. It’s really remarkable howdonations from customers keep increasing every year, from R6.2 million in 2010 to R38.6 million in 2016. We’re on track to reach R43million in customer donations this year, and your generous contributions during World Hunger Month will get us there.”

This year’s World Hunger Month campaign focused on the message – hope is stronger than hunger. “We’re exploring how better nutrition in early childhood can have a lasting impact on physical, cognitive and social development, giving the next generation hope by unlocking potential and boosting prosperity. Good nutrition is the single most important factor in creating a better future for our children. When you add hope, you give a child so much more than food.”

A number of celebrities took to social media and the airwaves to lend their voices to the Hope against Hunger Challenge after visiting Mould Empower Serve (MES) in Hillbrow to experience how essential good nutrition is for the development of physical, psychosocial and cognitive skills. The pre-school chess champs challenged Proverb, Wanda Hartley, Hayley Owen and Nicole da Silva, while the young soccer stars enjoyed a penalty shoot-out with Sthembiso Khoza and DJ Sabby. Smash Afrika, Nunu Khumalo and Tema Sebopedi engaged with the little ones over creative crafts.  

Radio personality Nicole da Silva says, “If you get overwhelmed with all the poverty in this country and how many children need food and a place of safety, please know that Add Hope makes it easy for us all to assist with feeding, nurturing and assisting social and behavioural development, every day.”  Add Hope ambassador, SK Khoza, says, “Over 4 million children live in the poorest 40% of homes in South Africa and risk going hungry. It’s easy for us to know, but we need to acknowledge this reality. Hungry children suffer from anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Let’s build their confidence! Add Hope is a simple way to help.”

“The key to the success of Add Hope is bringing our customers, our team members and our beneficiaries together behind the common cause of fighting hunger,” says Mkhwanazi. “Please remember that you can Add Hope all year round. Your R2 fills 120 000 children with hope.”