Now that the government schools are open (for the most part), and Food for Thought has the information it needs to make food orders, the organization says it is working to get its programmes quickly back on track.
Our Breakfast Programme and Food Bank Programme have been temporarily revised in order to accommodate the limited resources available at some of the schools.
Specifically, we are able to continue our usual menu at our Breakfast Programme schools in North and Middle Caicos. Iris Stubbs Primary School in South Caicos is now open using temporary classrooms but as their canteen was severely damaged and their kitchen appliances destroyed we will be providing their students with ready-to-eat breakfast items. When Mary Robinson Primary School in Salt Cay re-opens, we will assess what items can be sent over.
Our Food Bank Programme puts Breakfast Boxes in the guidance counsellors’ offices at the other 10 government schools. We will at least double the reach of the Food Bank Programme but we need to ask the public to donate to our Food Banks so we can reach even more children. Our usual shopping list is below but now we are also asking for ready to eat food such as granola bars, fruit cups and individual milk cartons. Many schools still do not have access to power and/or water, and most of their appliances have been ruined. At schools that do have resources to prepare breakfasts we will accommodate them.
Food for Thought is of course also accepting monetary donations.
It’s now more important than ever to reach as many children as possible with our free breakfast. Families are facing huge financial and emotional burdens following the devastating Category 5 hurricane and hurricane Maria. With some resorts and restaurants still closed, small businesses struggling with cash flow, limited employment opportunities, many families are struggling with the additional costs of house repairs, replacement of damaged belongings and so on.
You can take your donations to Savory & Co., Quality Food Centre, Crust Bakery, Graceway Sports Centre, British West Indies Collegiate, Bark + Bliss, Scotiabank Grace Bay, West Indie and International School of Turks and Caicos Islands.
