Debonairs accused of trying to make some money out of its ‘doughnation’ project

Pizza chain Debonairs has got up a few people’s noses with a charity drive to feed the poor on Mandela Day‚ with some accusing the company on social media of trying to make some dough out of its so-called “doughnation” project.

However‚ the drive‚ which involves using off-cuts from pizzas to make flat breads that are donated to the needy‚ has mostly met with favourable responses on Facebook. 

In a Facebook post on Friday‚ Debonairs said: “Our Doughnation project uses the off-cuts from your pizza to make flat breads which are donated to charities across SA. This Mandela day‚ we will be making a special Doughnation delivery! So the more pizza you buy this week‚ the more pizza flat breads we can donate on the 18 July!”

This drew a few negative responses from some social media users.

Manqoba Radebe posted on Facebook: “I’m certain Debonairs makes a lot of profit enough to help the disadvantaged without luring us to buy more of their pizzas... this is just a gimmick to increase their sales.”

Keatlegile Mangoale stated: “Lets be technical here for a second...if you look at it‚ debonair’s is actually donating jack... they said it themselves. ..’so the more pizzas you buy this week‚ the more we can donate’.... so‚ if no-one is going to buy any pizza this week‚ what is debonairs “doughnating”? Nd they’re not even ashamed of saying that they’re using off-cuts...

Another Facebook user‚ Sinethemba Johnny Notisi‚ bemoaned: “’Off-cuts’ ..meaning Debonairs will donate left overs... And their donating depends on people buying. To me it sounds like a market strategy to sell fast.. Worst part using leftovers to donate..

F### Debonairs for misleading the masses and needy homes..

This is why I hate these companies..

?#?JOHNNY.”

And Nokulunga MP had this to say on Facebook: What the fudge!!!!!?????

Nothing makes me madder than SOUP KITCHENS! And all of these food drives. Not because they exist but because of the crap they feed the people — food that they wouldn’t enjoy themselves ‚ but somehow feel a kid from the township will. ??????

Anyway‚ I always felt giving away a pizza would be waaay more exciting that 2 slices of dry brown bread with polony in between. And I always thought Debonairs would be good to sponsor this.

(I mean everyone loves Debonairs pizza‚ you should see people’s pride on pay day when they in the holding that pizza box ??????)

Anyway‚ it’s just disturbing to me that when Debonairs themselves do a food drive‚ they don’t give away actual pizzas but PIZZA CUTOFFS instead?????!!!!! ??????

Ha-a man!! ????

Christians please stand up‚ nobody else cares about the poor. ????????????”

However‚ most of the people responding on Facebook supported the initiative.

One of them‚ Wesley Cameron‚ said: “No wonder we can’t move forward as a country... the ammount of negativity produced by just these few people is truly shocking... like they’re just complaining for the sake of complaining.... when did world — hunger initiatives become a topic to winge about? Why are we taking everything that happens today and finding some stupid reason to put it down???

I think this is a beautiful initiative‚ Debonairs.... I don’t see any other major franchises doing this. And hopefully they follow your example.... and as for those who want to complain‚ especially those who cannot spell or use grammar to save their lives... charge them extra ??”

Rose Murison responded with: “I think that it is a wonderful project. Instead of throwing the off-cuts away‚ donate it to HUNGRY CHILDREN THAT BARELY HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT ! Will definitely support Debonairs ! Good work.”

Beldered Matywatywa said : “Viva Debonairs you are @ least making a change in someone’s life by this. People will always judge‚ even if you should give orphans free pizzas they will complain about why certain people get free pizzas. Keep up the good work.”

Meroy Sigida also praised the initiative: “All of you who are complaining about poverty‚ for some people bread id luxury. It doesn’t matter if it’s cut off or full… Debonairs is doing great job.”

Debonairs responded on Facebook by stating: “We do this all the time. We just wanted to make an extra special effort this #MandelaDay by making more people aware of the efforts we make in the communities we operate in.”