Shoprite brought some Easter cheer to 120 senior citizens in Sydenham, Durban late last week.

For every R1 donated to FoodForward SA (FFSA), impact that is worth R98.07 is generated. This is one of the findings of an independent Return on Social Investment (SROI) report compiled by Impact Amplifier, a specialist in the business social impact measurement space.

With 1 in 5 households reporting weekly hunger, and a record 7.2 million unemployed people in South Africa, Shoprite has intensified its efforts to provide customers with products that are affordable and accessible.

Washing hands frequently remains a key strategy in preventing COVID-19 infection and transmission as we enter the second year of the global pandemic. Yet, across South Africa, there is a lack of access to clean water and sanitation preventing millions of people from following this basic safeguard, in their homes and in their schools.

Checkers Hyper has a newly revamped supermarket in the Cape Town suburb of Brackenfell, which has now become one of the group’s flagship branches. The state-of-the-art Checkers Hyper Brackenfell promises a world-class shopping experience with a strong emphasis on fresh food and convenience.

The reality is that thousands of children go to school hungry every day, says Suzanne Ackerman-Berman, transformation director at Pick n Pay. “The number of children needing support has grown dramatically during lockdown as parents or guardians have lost their jobs.

The Checkers Gauteng division surprised medical personnel and healthcare workers at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital with a performance by members of the world-renowned Soweto Gospel Choir - observing all Covid-19 protocols.

● SA’s Covid-19 grants are faltering, with many unable to collect the R350 stipend initially offered to those most in need.

● The Shoprite Group has intensified its food security efforts, donating more than R100 million worth of food, since the start of lockdown.

● The Group has also continued to create jobs, in spite of tough economic times.

Only one thing is certain - these are uncertain times. In the space of only 11 months, we all find ourselves living in a very different world. The impact of Covid-19 has been hard on everyone, in very different ways. Many have lost loved ones; their jobs or had their income reduced. Many are experiencing severe hardship and struggling to cope

Shoprite is helping to ease the burden of rising education costs by giving more than 500 learners the opportunity to have their 2021 school fees paid for.

Following a request by the community to assist healthcare workers who are working tirelessly in the fight against COVID-19, Checkers Western Cape Division responded by donating some much needed refreshments.

The Shoprite Group donated 200 care packages containing essential products to COVID-19 patients in the Free State Department of Health facilities.