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Progressive gives COVID-19 aid

Published:Tuesday | March 31, 2020 | 12:27 AMJudana Murphy/Gleaner Writer
Andrinne Grant from Save Our Boys and Girls Foundation receives a case of water from Laura Loshusan (right), director of Progressive Grocers, while Nadine Mullings looks on. Progressive Grocers was making a donation to the foundation on Monday as part of the COVID-19 relief measures.
Andrinne Grant from Save Our Boys and Girls Foundation receives a case of water from Laura Loshusan (right), director of Progressive Grocers, while Nadine Mullings looks on. Progressive Grocers was making a donation to the foundation on Monday as part of the COVID-19 relief measures.

Trucks loaded with food and other essential items were gifted to four charities for donation to Jamaica’s neediest and vulnerable as the country grapples with the economic and social fallout from COVID-19.

At the handover ceremony on Monday, chairman of Progressive Grocers of Jamaica Foundation, Craig Chin, said that he was pleased to offer a helping hand.

“We are trying to do our part to help as many communities as we can. We are partnering with eight different companies and distributors,” Chin said.

Among the items donated were canned food, baked products, water, diapers, sanitary napkins, disinfectant, and tissue.

Shaneica Lester, programmes manager of All 4 JA Foundation, told The Gleaner that the foundation has sought to impact the financially challenged.

“In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the needs of these persons have increased more than ever, mainly people who have been laid off or those who are low-income earners,” Lester said.

“The donations we received today will be mainly for families in quarantine in Corn Piece, Clarendon, as well as surrounding communities.”

Packages will be crafted based on needs of the elderly, children and people with special needs.

Corn Piece has been under lockdown since March 19, three days after Jamaica’s first and only novel coronavirus death was confirmed.

Save Our Boys and Girls Foundation is geared towards providing leadership training, character development, community service, and mentorship opportunities for children aged six to 18.

It was founded by St Andrew East Rural Member of Parliament Juliet Holness in 2017.

Director Nadine Mullings said that the foundation has a database of boys and girls who have benefited from their aid.

“We assist mainly in the area of education by assisting with school fees and lunch money. The children are grateful and parents appreciate the work of the foundation,” Mullings said.

Another recipient, 21st Century Foundation Trust, has been in existence for close to two decades.

“We cater to the less fortunate among us, mostly the indigent, and we assist students through education grants. We partner with children’s homes and just general benevolent outreach efforts,” Jerron Green, a member, explained.

Director Angela Amir said that assistance is concentrated mainly in Kingston, St Andrew, St Mary and Manchester. Their plan is to create care packages and then dispatch team members to the various communities.

“People usually write to us and ask for assistance. Their response will be overwhelming because they have been asking already and we have been reaching out to companies like Grace and Lasco,” Amir said.

Positive Jamaica Foundation also received donations from the various partners.

judana.murphy@gleanerjm.com