A community member takes a step to help those in need while coronavirus brings negative effects to the country.

Five hours was all it took for one Lonehill resident to begin an initiative to help those in need.

Sean Williams started a trolley collection initiative to be filled at Pick n Pay in Lonehill Shopping Centre on 16 March. It was started to help the impoverished and less-fortunate who are affected by panic-buying taking place around the country. Many South Africans have cleared shelves in stores due to the increased number of cases of the coronavirus in the country.

He described the morning that he made decision after seeing photos and posts on ‘social media and the frenzy of how everyone is cleaning out the stores’. “I had seen the shelves were empty, and thought that I should do something. I remember thinking to myself I should stop interacting with social media, and actually do something about it.”

Williams took inspiration from previous individuals who had successfully started trolley collection initiatives to donate to animal shelters or the Salvation Army. “I saw the manager there and spoke to him about starting this idea with the trolley. He was blown away by the idea and said they’ll start one and phone me later,” Williams recalled.

He went back to the store and bought R860 worth of non-perishable items for the trolley. “I don’t have much money to spend anymore since coronavirus is making things even more difficult, but I’m someone who still wants to give back.”

Williams challenged residents to take part in this initiative buy purchasing and donating the items listed on the trolley. “My main focus in life is that I want to make a difference in the world, and in the planet. I love giving back.”

Williams’ goal is to have more and more Pick n Pay stores get involved in helping the less fortunate with trolleys for donations from customers.