The Social Solidarity Food Drive’s goal was to get as many people as possible to donate food to three approved charities: Hospice, SPCA and Salvation Army.

According to Manny Ferreirinha, President of the PFSA, the idea was to give citizens an organised opportunity to assist those most affected by the Covid-19 shutdown. The aim was to pool the resources of businesses, farmers, non-profit organisations and the general public in a massive drive-by food collection to fight hunger.

A suitable venue was secured in Kempton Park for the charity groups to receive the donations on 6 September. On the day, a massive procession of trucks, cars and motorbikes, loaded with food, arrived at the central point and then proceeded to deliver their contributions to nominated government food banks.

Intofeed felt the best way to help the effort would be to donate three tons of their new Ume Adult dog food product to help take the pressure off the SPCA kennels, who rely on the goodwill of the public to feed thousands of dogs and cats.

For Riana and Brian Durham, Managing Director and Operations Director of Intofeed respectively, the decision to get involved was an easy one to make.

 “We heard that the SPCA was having difficulties feeding their animals in their care and it broke our hearts. When we heard about the food drive, it seemed like the ideal opportunity to do the right thing. We love animals, and so much of our lives have been dedicated to developing nutritional solutions for animals of all kinds, so we wanted to contribute to a great cause,” said Riana.  

Brian added: “Covid-19 has affected so many people in different ways but unfortunately animals in the care of organisations like SPCA have also been affected. We were happy to be able to help and know they at least are getting the nutrition they need. It was the least we could do.

“We really admire everything the SPCA does and are more than happy to contribute to any further drives they may have. The SPCA really does an amazing job but they need all the help they can get with donations.

“It gave us so much hope to see how people responded. It was wonderful to know that people will come together, even in desperate times, to help those who need it most, animals included,” he said.