Student volunteers from the St. Maarten Academy provided help in putting together and distributing the packages to families.
PHILIPSBURG--The SXM ACTION (Aspiring Change to Impact Our Nation) food drive to assist persons in need throughout the community ended on a high note.
For several months, Project Director of the SXM ACTION food drive Kevin James, together with several helping hands, were successful in providing persons economically affected by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic with food assistance.
James shared that the project was quite a success. He explained to The Daily Herald on Sunday, that the initial aim of the food drive was to provide help to three families. Over time, with an overwhelming amount of support from the community, the project continued to grow and the reach did as well.
The project started in September with a small team. During this time, the organisation placed a lot of its focus on an awareness campaign, raising awareness about the food drive via radio appearances, social media campaigns and promotions by local influencers.
In October, the organisation, with the assistance of volunteers from the American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine, were present at several of the major supermarkets on St. Maarten every Saturday collecting donations for persons in the community. A total of six food drives were held by the organisation between October and November.
For the last few drives, SXM ACTION was assisted by students from St. Dominic High School and St. Maarten Academy after reaching out to the schools for persons who would be interested in volunteering. James shared his delight in having those students participate in the project.
The donations were plentiful allowing the organisation to put together enough packages to help all who were in need, and more.
A total of 64 packages were distributed by the organisation providing help to 49 families. The organisation was even able to provide 15 of those families with help twice. In total, the organisation received US $1,259.44 in monetary donations, which allowed provision of supplies for up to 21 packages.
James said SXM ACTION had initially received a list of persons affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic and in need of assistance from K1 Britannia Foundation. The organisation used this list to reach out to these persons in need.
However, he explained that as these drives took place many persons reached out to them, seeking assistance. This allowed the organisation to reach a much broader range of persons in need.
James thanked all persons, organisations and the community at large for their support in helping to make the project a major success.
SXM ACTION thanked: SXM Helping Hands Foundation, K1 Britannia Foundation, Print & Sign Express St. Maarten, AUC School of Medicine, St. Dominic High School, St. Maarten Academy, Billy D of SOS Radio, Lady Grace (PJD2), The Daily Herald, The Cut Creator DJ Outkast, Leeyo on the drums, Suppa Kid, King Vers, DJ King Kembe, Carrefour, Sunny Foods, Cost Pro, Market Garden, CostULess, J&R Service, Best Courier and Delivery Service, and the New Testament Baptist Church for all their support and assistance provided throughout the course of the project.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/sxm-action-food-drive-helps-49-families-in-need
