The Shoprite Group on Wednesday thanked its customers for reaching the R1 million mark in funds raised for the Solidarity Fund.
This was achieved through big and small donations via the Group’s Act for Change Fund.
In appreciation the Shoprite Group matched their customers’ contributions with another R1 million, bringing the total raised for the Solidarity Fund to R3 million.
This after the group immediately heeded President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appeal at the start of the lockdown by making an initial R1 million donation.
Pieter Engelbrecht CEO of the Shoprite Group says: “Our customers are our greatest inspiration and it is their generosity that spurred us on to donate a further R1 million to the Solidarity Fund.”
He added that the Group’s customer generosity has surpassed all expectations, with unprecedented contributions from rural supermarkets.
“Every contribution counts and we are deeply grateful to each and every one of our customers who made a donation.
“In unity, we will overcome this crisis.”
The Solidarity Fund was created to allow South Africans to contribute to one consolidated effort.
Nomkhita Nqweni, the CEO of the Solidarity Fund, said: “The efforts of all the Shoprite, Checkers and USave shoppers who elected to make donations will ensure we can continue to make a difference in our communities and protect our frontline emergency workers.”
In addition, the Shoprite Group also donated surplus food to the value of R9 million to 233 non-governmental organisations since lockdown began.