The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Rotary Club of Grand Bahama distributed hot breakfast and food care packages to the homeless community and a local homeless shelter in Grand Bahama on Saturday.

The community service initiative — which covered various areas in Freeport and Eight Mile Rock — brought some hope and cheer this yuletide season to those who are sometimes forgotten.

Titi McKenzie-Moss, RCGB community service chair, said the initiative was supported by members of the group and assisted by the Beacon School and The Snack Place-Caravel Beach, which contributed snack items and backpacks.

President Rengin Johnson, along with several members, took a bus into the urban areas of Freeport, the downtown area, the Bazaar area, and then into Eight Mile Rock, giving homeless persons on the street hot chicken souse, a backpack filled with food items and snacks and mosquito nets.

The group also went to the Home Away from Home Shelter and delivered hot breakfast and care packages for the 60 residents there.

Ms Johnson commended Mervie Knowles, home administrator, for her humanitarian work in the community.

“On behalf of Rotary Club of Grand Bahama, it gives us great pleasure to be able to assist the shelter – you are number one when it comes to helping humanity,” she said.

Ms Knowles thanked the RCGB for its support.

“This is really a blessing and it has blessed my heart just to care for them and give them a place to call home,” she said.

Ms McKenzie-Moss said Rotary is all about providing service to the community.

“As our motto states: service above self, and we decided to assist those who are sometimes forgotten and ostracised in the community.

“The homeless population, although not large, has grown in Grand Bahama, and this is disturbing. It is important for us as Rotarians to make sure that the Rotary wheel continues to turn as we reach one, touch one.

“This will not be our last interaction with the homeless community, we will continue to help them as best as we can. We would also like to encourage individuals, not just organisations to give to those less fortunate, the homeless and anyone you may encounter who needs help. It’s the humanitarian thing to do,” she said.