Three years ago, The Tribune reported as people queued from dawn for aid (inset). Yesterday, they queued overnight as they sought help from the Fox Foundation’s Christmas giveaway. Photo: Moise Amisial
By JADE RUSSELL
Tribune Staff Reporter
jrussell@tribunemedia.net
DOZENS slept in their cars overnight on Thursday, awaiting food vouchers from the Fox Foundation’s 9th annual Christmas giveback.
Many cars wrapped around the stadium despite the rainy weather as people waited to receive the $50 food voucher near the national stadium.
Adrianna Fox, co-founder of the Fox Foundation, said $350,000 worth of vouchers were given out. She said the giveback is critical because it helps to put food on the table for those who need a helping hand.
“Making people smile is what makes us happy,” she told reporters. “We work hard all year, and this is the time where we take the time out to not make ourselves happy but to make the Bahamian people happy.”
Cars were seen out at the stadium from 3am, even though the giveback started at 8am.
Most food vouchers were given out at the stadium, though some were expected to be given in the Kemp Road area. Ms Fox said residents in Kemp Road could expect gifts for children, hams, turkeys, and other essential vouchers.
The food vouchers can be used at Solomon’s or Cost Right. Those who received the vouchers can use them on whichever item they choose.
Meanwhile, Khandi Gibson, founder and president of Families of All Murder Victims (FOAM), said the demand for people in need this Christmas is overwhelming. She said dozens call each day asking for groceries, money, or a place to stay.
FOAM recently held its Christmas giveback. Ms Gibson said many came out despite the rain because they needed clothing or a hot plate of food.
She said her organisation helps 75 to 100 people monthly. However, she said that the demand for people needing help increased tremendously this Christmas season.
“You have homeless people, domestic violence victims, and people who need groceries or clothing,” she said. “We’re up to the point now where guys have now let go of their pride and now are coming out.”
She said she recently thought of stopping some of her organisation’s services because it was challenging to keep up with expenses. She urged people to make donations so that FOAM can continue to provide housing assistance, buying groceries, and clothing assistance for residents.
Comments
bahamianson 1 year ago
Such irony. The same people whom are receiving the gifts are the same spending their last dollar in the number house. It seems like Fox and the others are laundering their soul. This isn't success , numbers was illegal for years. These guys were involved in nefarious activity , allegedly paid off many people , and got away with it. Kudos to them. What people should do is never buy numbers again
Sickened 1 year ago
Wasn't Fox an human trafficker? I wonder how he settled that case in the U.S.?
jackbnimble 1 year ago
Only in The Bahamas could the underground illegal numbers houses open 'web shops' right in our faces fully functional for years while everyone (including the Governmrnt who grants the licences) knows it's an illegal gambling house, pay a few politicians off by funding their campaigns, get those same politicians to hold a so-called 'referendum' to get Bahamians to agree to make the illegal activity legal, get slapped down with big 'hell no!' and yet turn around and still pass a law to make the illegal number houses legal so that all those persons who are already broke and struggling on a mostly minimum wage cheque can continue to give their last to a get-something-for-nothing numbers house, continue to be broke while they stay rich and then watch the now legal number houses turn around and give a meal voucher to the mostly broke and struggling people who keep them rich and hold them up as demi gods for giving back a trupence of the profits they have made off their poor struggling backs. Only in The Bahamas, I say.
avidreader 1 year ago
Remember: "A fool and his money are soon parted". Governments have tried to legislate morality on many occasions in many countries and have failed for the most part. People will grasp at straws in a desperate situation which is sad to witness. There is no doubt that the amount of money spent to provide some assistance to these unfortunate people is but a small fraction of the amount raked in from their own gambling activities over the past year.
sheeprunner12 1 year ago
The politicians and the numbers bosses have stripped away the last inch of self-respect and industry from at least 60% of Bahamians.
This wallowing in the mud for a $50 food coupon is proof positive of the sad reality of most poor urban Bahamians. The disease has also spread to the more resilient and industrious Family Islanders as well. So sad.
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