Staff Writer
Gweru-OVER 200 vulnerable families in the Midlands Province were beneficiaries of hampers containing food and other household consumables donated by Gweru-based River Valley Group of Companies on Friday.
The gesture has been welcomed by the beneficiaries who expressed their gratitude to the company for its generosity.
The food hampers were distributed at a ceremony held at the company’s premises in Gweru.
Speaking at the ceremony, River Valley Group Chief Executive Officer Dr. Smelly Dube said that the support to vulnerable households was part of the company’s annual commitment to giving back to the community.
She said the hampers were a small way of helping with recognition of the challenges that many families were facing.
“Through our subsidiary S&M Hand of Compassion, we have a day we have set aside annually to give back to the community. We are aware of the challenges that many families are facing, especially widows and persons with disabilities, and we believe that this small gesture will lighten the load on these families.”
One of the beneficiaries, Solomon Gwengwe, president of the Midlands Association for the Promotion of the Rights of the Blind, expressed gratitude to River Valley for the hampers. He said Dr. Dube was always supporting them in various ways.
“I am very grateful to Dr. Smelly Dube and River Valley Group of Companies for what they have done for us. Dr. Dube has always come to our aid such that words fall short of describing the impact this gesture has in uplifting the livelihoods and welfare of us, persons with disabilities,” Gwengwe said.
Another beneficiary, an elderly woman with a visual impairment, said that she was overwhelmed by the company’s generosity.
“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of Dr. Dube and the River Valley Group because quite often people discriminate and frown upon people with disabilities. Dr. Dube and her husband (Mncedisi Dube) are a different breed of people because they are so loving and uplift someone from the dust,” she said.
The distribution of the food hampers and other forms of support is part of River Valley Group’s corporate social responsibility programme. The company has a long history of supporting the community in which it operates.
In addition to the food hampers, River Valley Group also provides other forms of assistance to vulnerable families, such as clothing and financial assistance.
The company’s commitment to social responsibility has been praised by government and community leaders.
Tarisai Mudadigwa, the Acting Gweru District Development Coordinator said that the company was setting an example to other companies on how to give back to the community.
“As the business community or development partners, you do not compete with the government efforts but you complement these government efforts. Therefore, I want to thank River Valley for complementing government efforts when it comes to catering to the less privileged people in our communities,” Mudadigwa said.
He added that the business community was expected to fulfill its corporate social responsibility, as was the case of River Valley Group.
A local religious community leader said River Valley Group was a ‘true partner to the community.’
“River Valley Group is a true partner to the community. They are always willing to lend a helping hand. The company’s generosity is an example of how businesses can make a positive impact on the world.”
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