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Western Bureau:
Hopewell Church of God of Prophecy has expanded its soup kitchen hours from once a week to three to four days a week and is now providing more than 200 meals a day to the elderly and needy in several areas of East Hanover.
Two weeks after Hurricane Beryl passed through, some residents in the western parishes are still without electricity and water, making daily life difficult.
Pastor Veronica Clark told The Gleaners Her church’s push to increase meal distribution was prompted by the generosity and partnership of Hanover’s charitable organizations.
She said: “Hanover Charities have been working hand in hand with us since the hurricane hit and have expressed their desire to do more work within the parish, not only in the Hopewell community but for other communities in the area.”
“So we started on Tuesday, July 9 (last week) and we provided meals to 240 people. Wednesday, we provided meals to 132 people, and Thursday, we provided meals to 204 people,” she noted, adding that they will be providing meals four days this week.
Clark said the feeding program, with the help of Hanover Charity, will last for about four weeks to provide help to those in need.
Driven by the volunteering of nine kitchen staff and two drivers, distribution efforts have expanded beyond Hopewell to other areas such as Old Pen, Bamboo, Sandy Bay, Pondside and Cascade.
“Some people have no light, no water, so they have welcomed this initiative very much and they look forward to the meal every day, which is usually ready by 1pm every day,” she said.
Clark stressed that the elderly and ward patients will be given priority, and children on vacation and others in need will also be cared for.
Dwight Findlay, pastor of the Universal Christian Assembly Apostolic Church in Old Pen, picked up about 40 meals for members in need on Wednesday, he told The Gleaners Welcoming this initiative.
“There are a lot of people out there who need extra help right now. Most people have been affected by the recent hurricanes and are going through a tough time right now, and any little thing will help them a lot,” he said.
Findlay said he hopes to see similar programs flourish across the island to help those severely impacted by the hurricane.
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