Brac Lions get support for children’s initiative
Yolita Parchment of the Water Authority presents donation to Nickolas DaCosta of the Lions Club of Cayman Brac
(CNS Local Life): Water Authority-Cayman (WAC) recently donated more than $4,000 to the Lions Club of Cayman Brac, with the funds primarily supporting the founding of the “Kids Pantry Project” which aims to provide nutritious snacks to children who would otherwise go to school hungry. The money was raised through WAC’s Project Angel Tree initiative held every December which benefits one or more non-profit organisations each year.
The authority’s employees joined together to raise $2,054 which was then matched by the WAC board.
Brac Lions third vice president Nickolas DaCosta spoke of his club’s new initiative. “The Kids Pantry Project will create a healthy snack pantry at each of the three primary school campuses and the high school campus,” he said. “The pantry will be available to students who do not have access to daily snacks or meals for whatever reason.”
WAC director Dr Gelia Frederick-van Genderen said that the donation was the largest in the history of Project Angel Tree. “I am very proud of the level of contributions made by staff this year. I think it shows the importance that we, as an organisation, place on ensuring local school children have everything they need to succeed,” she said, noting that the proceeds from the 2015 Project Angel Tree went to support Feed Our Future Cayman.
DaCosta said that he expected the funds to go a long way towards getting the project off the ground.
“The impact of the funds from the authority’s Project Angel Tree will be tremendous for both the Kids Pantry Project and the club on a whole,” he said.
Research shows that children who go to school hungry are less able to concentrate, have less motivation and energy, and, as a result, do not perform as well academically. This can have profound consequences that can affect the rest of their lives.
“It is very difficult to concentrate and learn on an empty stomach and no child in the Cayman Islands should have to go hungry,” Dr Frederick-van Genderen said.
DaCosta thanked the authority on behalf of the Lions Club of Cayman Brac. “WAC as an organisation is the epitome of corporate social responsibility,” he said.
Category: Donations, Service Organisations
Well said 6:40AM – Brackers seem to just be used to freeness and handouts.
What are the qualifying criteria to receive from the pantry snack? Does anyone from the Lions/schools check with the public handout unit (aka NAU) to see who is already receiving free lunches? Does anyone from the Lions/Schools check with NCVO to see who they are sponsoring at the schools? Does anyone from the Lions/Schools check with DCFS?
While it is good to hear that the Water Authority and Lions are taken proactive steps to assist, I cannot reasonably think why some children are slipping thru the cracks and starving at school when there are in place numerous avenues for parents/caregivers to get assistance.
And yet in Grand Cayman Feed Our Future provided food to almost 350 children last year…