BCB Staff Cyclists To Ride To Raise Funds
On March 10th, Bermuda Commercial Bank Limited will be sponsoring a team of three staff cyclists who will be travelling across the world to ride and raise funds for the South African FoodBank.
A spokesperson said, “Bermuda Commercial Bank Limited is proud and excited to support three of our team members who will be venturing across the globe to ride for the South African FoodBank.
“On March 10th Horst E. Finkbeiner II, Chief Operating Officer of BCB, Neil de ste Croix, General Manager of BCB Paragon and BCB Charter, and Greg Reid, CFO of BCB, will be cycling in the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour in South Africa in support of FoodBank.
“The passionate cycling enthusiasts will venture from Hertzog Boulevard at the Cape Town Civic Center and ride the 110km route onto the N2, down the M3 along the False Bay Coast past the entrance to the Cape of Good Hope, along the Atlantic coast, over Suikerbossie Hill and on to the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point. The capacity of 35,000 riders has been reached for the largest individually timed cycling event in the world.
“Unfortunately, twenty percent of South African households- a staggering 11 million people- have inadequate access to clean food. Hunger in South Africa is an issue with a solution, because enough food can be grown locally within the local communities.
“Reducing hunger is an effective way to address other socio-economic challenges such as crime, ill health and (in part because children will attend school in order to receive food and will pay better attention if fed) poor education.
“Launched in 2009, FoodBank already operates food banks in seven South African cities and supports an eighth which is independently run. The eventual target is to form a locally run food bank in every South African city and town.
“Since its inception in 2009, FoodBank has already donated an estimated 50 million meals to people who need the support and continues to donate food to over 1,000 other community-based organisations countrywide.
“These contributions provide aid to orphans and vulnerable children, the elderly, people suffering from HIV/AIDS and the unemployed. The food banks operate a Food Rescue programme. Each year this extremely green programme, supported by many of South Africa’s major food companies, saves thousands of tons of viable food sent to landfills and redistributes it to the hungry.
“This is augmented by a Food Procurement programme which buys staple foods, enjoys major cost breaks from major food suppliers, and allows more nutritionally balanced food support.
“This is an extremely cost effective way of providing food, the main costs however, are FoodBank’s logistics. As these offer economies of scale, the estimated cost per meal currently averages just 19 US Cents.
“At the 2012 Climate Change Leadership Awards, FoodBank won the Waste Management Award and was voted Charity of the Year by the South African Chamber of Commerce. Their vision for “A South Africa without hunger and malnutrition” is a long way off and every donation helps.
“Please support our riders in their quest to help curb unnecessary hunger in South Africa. Already a great supporter of local charities, our team felt the need to extend our efforts out into the world.”
Horst E. Finkbeiner II stated, “When the opportunity arose to join in this exciting and adventurous event, we jumped at the chance. FoodBank South Africa is doing amazing work, and even though my cycling skills may not be stellar, I am ready and anxious for the challenge!”
“For every dollar that our riders earn, a private anonymous donor has graciously offered to match those funds up to $28,400 USD” the spokesperson said.
In order to donate, log on to www.foodbank.org.za/can-you-help/financialdonations, mention Bermuda, and send a follow up email to keri@foodbank.org.za to confirm your donation. For more information about the cause, you can review their website at www.foodbank.org.za.
Go Team Lunch!!!!
The sad thing is that we have people here in Bermuda that need money and these offshore adventures do not help the needing people here.
There is a growing need for food banks in Bermuda as we face more and more unemployment daily.
Perhaps OMG can organise something to get some island-wide assistance.
OMG will need to first start a register of needy people and take it from there.
@Prayerful I am involved in such a program now and it is when you see people asking for money to be moving offshore it is sad to see.
What they are doing is a good thing but there are a bunch of people that are really not doing well.