As families lose income and work opportunities continue to decline due to the global pandemic, the daily food needs of communities has become a real threat. As part of Uberās āMove What Mattersā global campaign, Uber has united with Afrika Tikkun, a non-profit organization supporting underprivileged communities, to help feed vulnerable communities, including Uber drivers and couriers impacted most heavily by the lockdown.
Through the initiative, loyal Uber drivers and couriers will be able to purchase much-needed food items from their closest Boxer Superstores stores by accessing a one-time eCoupon via the established driver and courier channels. Drivers and couriers have received communication providing steps on how to retrieve their eCoupon as well as Boxer Superstore’s food recommendations on what to purchase.
Ensuring the wider community is also supported, Afrika Tikkun is utilizing Uberās latest solution, Uber Direct, to help facilitate food packages to communities in need. The power of this solution to reach a greater set of communities is evident in Uberās latest partnership with SA Harvest, a food rescue organisation. Using Uber Direct, the NGO has been able to expand and optimise deliveries to their beneficiary organisations such as Afrika Tikkun, while reaching vulnerable people in Gauteng for the first time.
Alon Lits, Director for Uber sub-Saharan Africa explains, āThe most important thing we can do right now is to support our drivers and couriers, as well as those most impacted in our communities. With this unique partnership, we hope to demonstrate our commitment to the Uber community and beyond during this difficult time by supporting food relief to people in need.ā
Marc Lubner, CEO of Afrika Tikkun speaks on the partnerships, āAfrika Tikkun plays an integral part in the developmental efforts of township youth, helping to formulate and affect careers. Uber is an important enabler of economic opportunities for people across South Africa. Itās an honour to be able to partner with Uber and Boxer in being able to provide meals to this dynamic community of drivers we all rely on. Itās appropriate these drivers are acknowledged and respected in this way …a tribute to Uber, an organization that sincerely cares.ā
Uber has also partnered with Youth Employment Service (YES), a non-profit corporation (NPC), which has provided fabric masks to Uber drivers across South Africa. Most recently they also announced that all drivers will need to follow an in-app safety checklist, such as confirming they are regularly sanitising their car and will be asked to take a selfie before going online to verify they are wearing a mask or face covering using new object recognition technology.
