Barbadian families affected by COVID-19 will receive an additional $1.5 million worth of food vouchers thanks to the Feed a Family Programme by Sandy Lane Charitable Trust.

The Trust initially committed $1.5 million in food vouchers to the 30 constituency offices across the island when the programme launched and another $1.5 million was to follow.

Trustee of the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, Phillipa Challis revealed that $4.5 million in food vouchers – over 90, 000 food vouchers – have been distributed to families since May, bringing the total sum to $6 million committed to feeding less fortunate families.

“We knew that this programme could not feed every family every month, but we wished to reach as many people as possible,” Challis said while speaking at the presentation ceremony of new surgical devices to the Pediatric department of the Queen Elizabeth hospital on Wednesday.

To maintain full transparency of the distribution process, each voucher was numbered and the recipient was required to provide their contact information, as well as, the number of children in their household.

Challis disclosed that during the national lockdown over 1,300 food hampers filled with fresh produce were distributed. With Christmas approaching, she indicated that the Trust’s “bank account is now empty” after the final donation of $1.5 million.

“We understand this is going to be a very tough and unusual festive season for a great many of families this year, but we truly hope that these vouchers will be used wisely and will at least help to put food on peoples’ tables,” she continued. 

Via [barbados.loopnews.com]