As part of Marketers Association of Zimbabwe’s response to the Covid19 pandemic, the association handed over food baskets and other basic commodities to the Methodist Church in Epworth recently.

The items were sourced and donated through MAZ’s Charity Foundation.

The Charity Foundation, a corporate social responsibility arm of MAZ handed over 120 food baskets at the Methodist Church in Epworth.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, MAZ Charity Foundation chairperson, Mrs Emilliah Mabika said; “We looked at the effects of Covid 19 and what we realised is that it has impacted on a lot of households especially the disadvantaged communities.

“So, we put in together a basket that addresses the basic needs of a family and we are saying that this is our small way of contributing to the community.”

She challenged other institutions to support disadvantaged communities.

“Let’s do our part, that little bit that we have, if we all do something we will be able to the issue of hunger and the underprivileged,” she added.

Methodist Church Assistant Superintended Reverend Kambarami appreciated MAZ’s efforts.

“We want to thank the Lord, for he is the one who led these people to come here and bless us with gifts. What we have to do is to pray for them so that the Lord continues to bless them and extend their helping hand,” he said.

MAZ Secretary General, Gillian Rusike said, “I am very proud that I hail from this area, so, I pleaded with my colleagues that we start here and I am glad that they supported my idea and that is why we are here today.”

Beneficiaries at the handover ceremony were drawn from the seven wards in Epworth.

MAZ Charity Foundation , Vice chairperson , Angela Machonesa thanked all the sponsors and individual members who partnered the Charity Foundation in mobilising the food baskets.

Colcom, Davis granite, Zb bank, Prochem, Nemchem, National foods, Proton, Homelink, Truworths, Tanganda and individual members were the sponsors who made the fundraising a success.

Other members of the Charity Foundation are  Enia Zimunya, Tichaona Gandanhamo, Samson Matema, Nosizo Choga, Angela Machonesa, Patience Mapolisa, Aquiline Mazhawidza and Roseline Zinjiva.

MAZ has over the years  been involved in different corporate social responsibility initiatives through the MAZ Charity Golf tournament.

MAZ through the ‘donate a shoe’ campaign donated 300 pairs of shoes to Chokera Primary School in Masvingo and Mathew Rusike Children’s Home where over 300 pairs of shoes were donated.

Earlier this year MAZ donated sunscreen lotions worth thousands of dollars to the Albino Association of Zimbabwe

In July, the Association donated detergents to Mpilo hospital’s paediatric ward in Bulawayo to assist the Institution in the fight against Covid 19.