The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer
jgibson@tribunemedia.net

Hands For Hunger (H4H) is hosting Double Lunch Day. The campaign invites individuals, corporations, schools and civic groups to donate their normally daily lunch spend to help feed Bahamians who face hunger.

Hands For Hunger is a humanitarian organisation committed to the elimination of unnecessary hunger and the reduction of food waste in the Bahamas. H4H strives to achieve this goal through the creation of meaningful and engaging partnerships amongst all sectors of the Bahamian community.
Since 2008, H4H has provided 500,000 meals to Bahamians in need through its food rescue programme. The programme currently assists 12 recipient outreach agencies serving over 8,000 meals each week.

Each day the Hands For Hunger team picks up fresh, high quality food that would otherwise go to waste. Some of the donors include grocery stores, distributors, restaurants and hotels. The food is then transported within hours to those who need it most: community centres, shelters, churches and soup kitchens throughout the island. These agencies provide food to hungry children, seniors on fixed income, women seeking refuge from domestic abuse, the homeless, the disabled, psychiatric patients and many more who cannot provide for themselves.

“We have been around for five years and we hope to raise awareness of chronic hunger in the Bahamas. This is actually the first year we celebrate World Hunger Day and we hope people support the cause and be mindful of those who go without food everyday,” said Anna Bancrost, H4H public relations officer.
In it is fifth year of existence, Ms Bancrost said one of the main things the group wants to do is expand their educational programme. They hope to educate the public during a “Food For Thought” panel discussion at the British Colonial Hilton, tonight at 6pm.

Panellists will include Dr Selima Campbell-Hauber, horticulturist and owner/founder of Field to Fork Farm, and Minalee Hanchell, executive director of Great Commissions Ministries. The panel discussion will seek to develop further consciousness about food security and hunger awareness on the island, analyse and outline ongoing food security programmes.

“We have also been going to various schools to educate the students about our efforts. We ask the students to draw what hunger looks like, and what it feels. We try to instil in them that out efforts help many people and we let them know that every penny counts in fighting hunger,” she said.
Ms Bancrost said although today is World Hunger Day, she hopes the awareness and support from people continues throughout the year.

“A lot of people help out during Thanksgiving and Christmas, I guess that is the time people are feeling most generous. However hunger is not something that happens seasonally, it happens everyday. There are people who go without having three proper meals a day. So we need consistent help and support,” she said.

Hands For Hunger is a registered, not-for-profit charity that relies on donations from community groups, foundations, corporations. Hands For Hunger is led by a volunteer board of directors and supported by hundreds of volunteers. The Royal Bank of Canada is a corporate sponsor of Hands For Hunger.
Later in the year, H4H will hosts

“Paradise Plates”, the organisation’s its biggest fundraising event, which is an evening of fine dining and delectable dishes.