PDV Caribe (Antigua and Barbuda Ltd.), the entity that provides food vouchers to the needy in society, will observe its 20tth anniversary in September with a week of activities to mark the occasion.
General Manager, Jollette Ralph, announced that the organisation is building up an awareness of its work and its impact by undertaking a number of events even prior to the anniversary week.
One such event included partnering with the National Soup Kitchen by making a donation to provide a hot meal for persons at the facility for a day. On Friday, members of the board and staff at PDV/Caribe not only provided the meal at the Soup Kitchen but were on hand helping to share food for those who depend on the free meals provided by the food service entity.
“We recognize that even though we have the People’s Benefit programme, where beneficiaries obtain a debit card valued at $215.00 monthly, we know that are other individuals who depend on a hot meal on a daily basis and they do not have the resources prepare it at home or otherwise. So we consider a donation to the food kitchen not only to meet their physical needs but also to provide emotional support to the individuals in and around the city area who frequent the Soup Kitchen,” Ralph stated.
According to Ralph the hot meal does more than satisfies the hunger of the vulnerable individuals who go to the Soup Kitchen daily, but it is an opportunity for PDV/Caribe to show these persons that as a company, it values and remembers them. “Many persons struggle daily to meet their daily needs and that includes a hot meal and for us, every action, however small counts,” she stated.
She disclosed that there are some 1,707 persons who benefit from the People’s Benefit programme monthly. However, at the Soup Kitchen approximately 50 to 60 persons receive a hot meal daily.
Other events on the PDV/Caribe schedule include the distribution of its voucher booklets during August at the Multi-Purpose Cultural Centre.
PDV/Caribe’s week of activities will run from September 6 to 13.
