Mastercard, Pick n Pay and FoodForward SA have delivered more than 1.5 million meals to South African women and children following the success of their ‘Tap to Feed’ campaign.

Mastercard aimed to automatically donate a meal – at no extra cost to consumers – for each purchase shoppers made at Pick n Pay with the ‘Tap & Go’ contactless payment option between Monday, 7 May and Friday, 20 July. 

The donated meals were distributed by FoodForward SA to women and children through its network of non-profit organisations. Mastercard employees also volunteered at the FoodForward SA Mandela Day Food Drive packing events in Johannesburg and Cape Town on Wednesday, 18 July.

"We’re delighted by the public response to this campaign, which aligns with Mastercard’s global '100 Million Meals' programme, a commitment to reversing the spiral of poverty by eliminating hunger," says Mark Elliott, division president, Mastercard Southern Africa.

"Pick n Pay shoppers were really enthusiastic about making contactless payments to help their fellow South Africans. The initiative also highlighted the convenience, simplicity and security of this increasingly popular card payment option," Elliot adds. 

"We are really pleased by the success of ‘Tap to Feed’ in helping one of our key CSR partners, FoodForward SA, to provide vital assistance to vulnerable South African communities," says Pick n Pay deputy CEO, Richard van Rensburg.

"The campaign has also been a success for us in that we could show our customers how contactless payments give them a faster and more convenient experience at our till points," van Rensburg adds. 

Andy Du Plessis, managing director at FoodForward SA, says, "Collaboration and support from the private sector are vital to furthering our mission and ensuring we reach our country’s most vulnerable citizens."

"On behalf of hundreds of thousands of hungry South Africans, we extend our thanks to the shoppers who supported this campaign and to Pick n Pay and Mastercard for their commitment to fighting hunger in South Africa," Du Plessis concludes.