Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang donated cash and a trolley full of food in Pretoria yesterday to mark the start of a government-initiated drive to help children impoverished by Aids.

The initiative relied on members of the public to donate food, clothing and cash, which would be distributed to community-based organisations caring for children, the Health Department said in a statement.

The drive, being held in the run-up to World Aids Day on December 1, focuses on children who lost their care-givers to the disease or whose parents were too sick to look after them.

"While there are many organisations doing all they can to assist with this situation, they struggle to raise funds and resources necessary to keep them going," Tshabalala-Msimang said.

"This is especially so in informal settlements, peri-urban and rural areas".

All donations, including cash, could be made at any of 230 Pick 'n Pay or 130 Score supermarkets countrywide, the statement read.

Cash contributions would be administered by the Red Cross of South Africa.

Last year, a similar drive yielded 2 200 boxes of goods, which were distributed by Pick 'n Pay to 90 organisations within a month.

"The minister urged businesses, clubs and other organisations to take part by raising money and goods internationally," the statement read. – Sapa.