The HIV Food Bank has seen an increase in the number of people needing help during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and is appealing to the public.
Community Nutrition Officer with the Food Bank, Stacia Whittaker, made the appeal as she accepted a donation of cash, foodstuff and toiletries from the Barbados Government Information Service recently.
In a media release, Whittaker said: “We have seen an increase in the demand for food assistance at our Food Bank, and that in itself has put an enormous strain on our ability to meet the needs of our clients. We’re seeing more referrals for persons seeking help. We’re even seeing those who are already on the programme asking for additional help, and our donations are obviously not able to meet that high level of demand,” she said.
Explaining that the Food Bank currently assists over 300 families each month, Whittaker said the hampers assisted HIV-positive people, and their households, which often comprised children, the elderly and, in some cases, the disabled.
The Food Bank manager appealed to the public to donate non-perishable items, such as rice, peas and canned fish; breakfast items, such as cereals and tea; as well as fresh produce, such as ground provisions, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh eggs and frozen meats.
“We want our clients to eat more healthily, and this was even before COVID-19 because we saw the importance of having a variety of items in their hampers to help address their nutrition support
“We still have our Adopt-a-Shelf programme, where persons can choose one of our shelves and commit to buying items in bulk on a monthly, quarterly or twice a year basis. We also accept toiletries . . . . We are always very appreciative of the contributions we receive; no donation is too small and we make sure it goes a long way,” she said.
Donations may be taken to the HIV Food Bank’s office at Ladymeade Gardens, Jemmotts Lane, St Michael, Monday to Friday.
Interested people may also call the Food Bank at 536-3314, so the agency can collect donations curb side.
In addition, monetary donations may be deposited on the HIV Food Bank’s account at the Sheraton Centre branch of CIBC First Caribbean Bank, account number 1523055. (BGIS)