Pretoria, South Africa, Apr 8, 2009 / 23:53 pm
Responding to a call from their bishops, Southern African Catholics have gathered 258 tons of food and medicine to be delivered to Zimbabwe to relieve the economic crisis there.
The bishops of Southern Africa, including those of Swaziland, South Africa and Botswana, had called for the observance of Solidarity Sunday for Zimbabwe on Feb. 15 to encourage donations.
According to an announcement by Fr. Chris Townsend, Information Officer for the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SABC), individual donors have given over 96 tons of soybeans and fortified children’s food. Donors have also contributed to the cost of packaging and transport, with about $90,000 in cash donations having been raised.
One individual donor gave over $83,000 worth of food.