There was not a dry eye in sight at Pick ‘n Pay Hypermarket in Ottery on Wednesday as the Ramadan Make A Difference campaign came to a close. With the countdown to Eid ul Fitr, the final leg of the campaign was a stark reminder of the level of poverty in our communities and the importance of giving back. The annual corporate social investment project was started by VOC and Pick ‘n Pay to ‘make a difference’ in people’s lives however big or small that difference is.

Food hampers were given out to unsuspecting shoppers at the event, with many recipients sharing their gratitude and appreciate. The public was asked to send in letters to nominate someone in need to win a R350 shopping voucher. The winners of the vouchers were so emotional at the fact that they had received something that would aid them in their current situation.

Fatima Parter, a domestic worker said she would be spending the voucher on groceries for Eid so that she and her family can have a blessed day together.
Grace Lindsay, a cleaner, was as grateful for their contribution to the community.

Pick ‘n Pay Hyper made the finale extra special and exciting, with a lucky car draw. One lucky lady won the big prize of a Ford Ranger Bakkie, sponsored by Barloworld.

“It was really a shock to me when they called out my name for the bakkie, I still can’t believe it,” said a speechless, Sadiya Adams, the winner of the vehicle.

The keys were handed over to Adams, as the crowds looked on.

“It’s the first time that I have ever won anything and it’s a huge prize, I’m so happy”.

The nomination campaign was open to all Pick ‘n Pay customers and the letters written to nominate a deserving person were read out before the prize was handed over.

“This campaign is not just about Muslim people, it’s about people and goodness,” explained Sam Roy, representing Pick n Pay marketing in the Western Cape.

“Pick n Pay has a whole division that’s dedicated to making sure that people’s lives are improved, not because they want the recognition, but because they genuinely want to make a difference in people’s lives,” Roy continued.

For the past ten years, this campaign has been run with Pick ‘n Pay in partnership with VOC. Being a community radio station, VOC was able to assist Pick ‘n Pay in the roll out of this campaign to get the community involved.

“We reached out to people all over the Western Cape and we were able to give prizes out at the Promenade Pick ‘n Pay centre as well as in Paarl,” Waleed Adams, store manager at Pick ‘n Pay Hyper, added.

“We have reached hundreds of families in order to supply them with something special during this time,” Adams explained.

The atmosphere was rich with excitement and warmth as people were chosen from the crowd to collect prizes such as food parcels and food hampers from Spice Mecca and Pick ‘n Pay.

VOC expressed thanks to its listeners and the broader community for making the project a success.

“The Make A Difference project continues to grow every year, because of the participation of our loyal listeners who are trying to lend a helping hand to others. Once again, this project highlights the high cost of living and the severe level of financial need in our community. We can only make dua that we are able to assist more people year after year, InshaAllah.” VOC (Umarah Hartley)