Thu | Sep 5, 2024

Hopewell church expands soup kitchen operations in wake of hurricane

Published:Thursday | July 18, 2024 | 12:09 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
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Pastor of the Hopewell Church of God of Prophecy, Veronica Clark (right), with the assistance of a volunteer, handing a lunch prepared under the post-Hurricane Beryl church feeding programme to a senior citizen from Hopewell, Hanover.
Photo by Bryan Miller
Pastor of the Hopewell Church of God of Prophecy, Veronica Clark (right), with the assistance of a volunteer, handing a lunch prepared under the post-Hurricane Beryl church feeding programme to a senior citizen from Hopewell, Hanover.
Custos of Hanover, and board member of Hanover Charities, Dr. David Stair (left), was on hand at the Hopewell Church of God of Prophecy to assist with the delivery of lunches prepared under the feeding programme being implemented by the church through the
Bryan Miller
Custos of Hanover, and board member of Hanover Charities, Dr. David Stair (left), was on hand at the Hopewell Church of God of Prophecy to assist with the delivery of lunches prepared under the feeding programme being implemented by the church through the collaboration of Hanover Charities. Collecting on behalf of needy residents in the Old Pen area is Pastor of the All Nation Christians Assembly Appostolic church, Dwight Findley (centre, holding a box lunch).
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WESTERN BUREAU:

The Hopewell Church of God of Prophecy has expanded its soup kitchen operations from once a week to three or four days a week, now serving over 200 meals daily to the elderly and needy across several districts in Eastern Hanover.

Two weeks after the passing of Hurricane Beryl, several people in the western parish are still without electricity and water, causing daily hardships.

Pastor Veronica Clark told The Gleaner that her church’s push to increase meal distributions was driven by the generosity and collaboration of the Hanover Charities organisation.

“Since the hurricane, Hanover Charities came on board with us, saying that they would like to do some more work within the parish, not only in the Hopewell community, but other communities within the area,” she said.

“So we started [last week] Tuesday, July 9, when we served 240 persons. On Wednesday, we served 132 and on Thursday, 204 persons,” she noted, adding that this week, they are providing meals on four days.

Clark said that with assistance from Hanover Charities, the feeding programme will continue for about four weeks to support the needy.

With nine kitchen staff and two drivers volunteering their services, the distribution has moved beyond Hopewell to other districts such as Old Pen, Bamboo, Sandy Bay, Pondside, and Cascade, among others.

“Some persons don’t have any light, no water, so they embrace this initiative a lot, and they look forward to the meal each day, which is usually ready by 1 p.m. daily,” she stated.

Clark emphasised that priority is given to the senior citizens and those in infirmaries, with youngsters who are now on holidays and other folks who are in need, also accommodated.

Dwight Findley, pastor for the All Nation Christians Assembly Apostolic Church, located in Old Pen, who picked up some 40 meals for needy members on Wednesday, told The Gleaner that the initiative is welcome.

“There are a lot of people out there who need that extra push right now. Most have been affected by the recent hurricane, and are now going through challenging times, and any little thing will go a far way for them,” he said.

Findley said he would like to see similar programmes flourishing across the island to assist people severely impacted by the hurricane.

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