IF JUDY MURRAY could ask Santa for a special gift for Christmas it would be to fill her cupboards with lots of food so she could feed the needy.
For many years Judy has been providing food, clothing and other essentials to poor families from her own household, helped by donations from a food distribution company.
However, five years ago the company said it was no longer able to make a contribution because of the tough economic times. It left her struggling to make personal sacrifices with the assistance of her children.
This year has been particularly difficult and Judy has found herself having to turn away many people who come to her Wildey, St Michael home or telephone her asking for foodstuff.
“It is tough,”she said. “It is very sad for me because people are calling me especially now that it is Christmas but I have very little to give.
“I am not getting nothing, only from my children or individuals; people that know what I am doing. Ms Evelyn from Christ Church brings two bags every two months and Ms Gibson from St Joseph gives whenever she can but she said things are a little tight with her now.
“I used to meet her and she would offload thingsout of the back of her car and give to me but that was when she used to plant christophene and she has not been able to do that because there has been no rain. Those are the only two people who really reach out to help.”
Judy, who was named an unsung hero in 2005 by FirstCaribbean Bank, is not feeling very courageous these days.
“It is hurtful when people ask me for food items and I ain’t got to give them,” she said. “I don’t be asking for money, I just want to come home and see a bag of food there and I know where I have to take it.”
Her clientele includes mainly elderly people or unemployed women with children.
When times were good she would keep a list of names to distribute goods to people every week but these days Judy said she just gives what little she has to who comes knocking at her door.
“I sit at my bay window and when I see them coming up I give what little I have in my cupboard or if I am cooking I give them a meal to eat.”
Judy also acts as caretaker for many elderly people, driving them to doctor’s appointments in particular.
“I have my old van that I have had for 15 years and I take them to their doctor visits,” she said.
For Christmas, the only assistance she received were two grocery bags filled with cooking oil and bags of flour which were donated to her by one of her clients, who knew of her struggles.
“I thank God for him because even though he and his wife don’t have much they have helped out,” Judy said, pointing out that she would add items out of her cupboard to make sure that some of the families she assists will have a meal for Christmas.
Now in her sixties, Judy intends to continue with her labour of love in the hope that next year things will improve and other people will come on board to help her to feed the poor and needy.
