Western Branch:
Hopewell Church of Prophetic God has expanded its soup kitchen operations from once a week to three or four days a week and now provides more than 200 meals a day to the elderly and needy in several East Hanover neighborhoods.
Two weeks after Hurricane Beryl passed, many people in the Western Parishes are still without electricity and running water, facing daily hardships.
Pastor Veronica Clark said: Greener She said her church's efforts to increase food distribution are due to the generosity and cooperation of Hanover Charities.
“Since the hurricane, Hanover Charities has worked with us and said they want to do more work in the parish, not only in the Hopewell community but other communities in the area,” she said.
“So we [last week] “On Tuesday, July 9, we fed 240 people. On Wednesday, we fed 132 people and on Thursday, we fed 204 people,” she said, adding that they have provided meals four days this week.
Clark said the feeding program to help those in need will continue for about four weeks with help from Hanover Charities.
With nine kitchen staff and two drivers volunteering to help, distribution has expanded beyond Hopewell to other areas including Old Pen, Bamboo, Sandy Bay, Pondside and Cascade.
“They are very happy about this initiative as some of them have no light or water. They look forward to their meals being prepared by 1pm every day,” she said.
Clarke stressed that priority would be given to older people and those in hospital, with younger people currently on holiday and others in need of support also being accommodated.
Dwight Findley, pastor of All Nation Christian Assembly Apostolic Church in Old Penn, received about 40 meals Wednesday for members in need. Greener This initiative is to be welcomed.
“There are a lot of people who need extra help right now. Most of them were affected by the recent hurricane and are going through a difficult time right now. Every little thing will go a long way for them,” he said.
Findlay said he hopes to see similar programs spread across the island to help those severely affected by the hurricane.
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