03/05/2021

Through a partnership between Rotary Old Fort and Super Value along with a monetary donation from the Bahamas Feeding Network (BFN), Hands for Hunger received food vouchers for distribution to 100 families during a presentation at Super Value’s Head Office.

The funds were raised through an in-store Super Value stamp drive launched by the Rotary Club of Old Fort which encouraged patrons to donate their stamps at the end of a grocery store visit at the Super Value Mackey Street, Westridge and Winton locations and Quality Supermarkets Cable Beach. For each stamp donated, Super Value matched it doubling its dollar value.

Speaking to the partnerships that made the donation possible was Rotary Old Fort president.
“I am happy to say that during the month of January, we were able to collect over $4,700 worth of stamps including the match from Super Value,” said Odette Carey. “Obviously with today’s contribution of $2,000 from the Bahamas Feeding Network, this is going to allow us to support even more persons. In fact we’re going to sponsor 100 families in this initiative just in this first month. We hope to keep the momentum going and to even push it further in the continuing months.”

From one member of the National Food Distribution Task Force to another, BFN’s decision to donate to Hands for Hunger was crystal clear.

“Our involvement in this initiative began with a $100,000 donation from Super Value in December of last year,” said Philip Smith, executive director of Bahamas Feeding Network. “This jumpstarted an in-store campaign where persons were asked to donate funds at the register. Through the end of 2020, $12,000 was raised with an additional $2,000 raised in January which we decided to give to this initiative that Rotary Club of Old Fort was spearheading.”
Rupert Roberts, Super Value’s Chairman and a serving Rotarian for the past 50 years added, “Super Value is happy to support this campaign led by the Rotary Club of Old Fort. We truly believe it our duty to assist wherever we can to provide aide to those among us who are facing food insecurity. They’ve got our support in matching stamps for as long as the need is there.”

“We are very grateful for these partnerships that allow us to extend and expand our reach,” said Precious Fortune Thompson, volunteer and community events coordinator at Hands for Hunger. “Within the past year, a lot has changed for a lot of families financially so any support we get, when it comes to food assistance goes a very long way. This will make a huge difference because the majority of the families who will receive the food vouchers are not on the National Food Distribution Task Force feeding program so any sort of help they can get, which eases their mind and allows them to focus on other bills, will go a long way.”

Persons are still able to donate stamps in-store as the program is ongoing.