In a bid to cushioning the effects of hunger and poverty in the community, The Grace Foundation, a non-profit organisation, situated in Satellite Town, a suburb of Lagos is set to cater to as many indigent people as possible, through its yearly programme tagged, “Hands Up For Nigeria.”

The event which holds tomorrow Friday, is the 8th edition in the series, is also to mark Nigeria’s 61st Independence Day anniversary tomorrow October 1.

While addressing the press, Tuesday in Lagos, President of the Foundation, Philip Okuabor, says the idea is to extend a helping hand to their immediate community, in every area of livelihood, “The focus of the foundation is to provide healthcare, education and empowerment through vocational training, school fees support and free medical care for the needy.”

Centered on the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which targets poverty, zero hunger, good health and wellbeing, quality education, and so on, the programme, will begin with prayers and health care talks, with the topic for this year’s dwelling on COVID19 Pandemic.

Okuabor revealed that attendees will be treated to free medical checks, free foodstuffs, plenty of clothing, reading glasses, and more. Launched in 2008 and registered last year, the Grace Foundation has over the years empowered community members through its vocational training centre “after training we also give little seed capital for start-ups. We sometimes provide accommodation and also pay school fees for those in dire need, all these we do on our own without any kind of support from any quarters, which is a big challenge.” Okuabor revealed.

The programme he says is open to everyone irrespective of their religious affiliate or church denomination “it doesn’t no matter if you are a Muslim or from a different church, we are all about caregiving and not only for our immediate community, but people also come from far and they are catered for.”

With funding being the greatest challenge facing the Foundation, Administrative Secretary, Oghogho Eleshin, implored corporate organisations, local and state governments, as well as well-meaning Nigerians, to support the programme to further reach out to more people and thus reduce the rate of poverty in the country.

Putting in place COVID 19 protocol, this year’s event will hold at the First Bank Field, Satellite Town, Lagos.