Philip Smith right, executive director of The Bahamas National Feeding Network (BNFN), makes a donation to Reverend Henry Knowles of Wesley Methodist Church on Harbour Island on behalf of the BNFN. The New Providence based non-profit organization acts as a hub for distributing food to feeding centers throughout the country and has ramped up distribution efforts in the family islands in the past six months through a parternership with 20 organizations on Grand Bahama, Abaco, Andros and Eleuthers. (Photo: Bahamas National Feeding Network)
Harbour Island is revered for its picture perfect pink sand beaches by the likes of Fodors, Frommers and The Travel Channel. The island is a mecca for snorkelers, divers and fisherman alike; still, like many islands in The Bahamas, the popular tourist destination is no stranger to the issue of hunger. As a result, Philip Smith, Bahamas National Feeding Network (BNFN) executive director, recently presented Reverend Henry Knowles, senior pastor at Wesley Methodist Church with a donation.
In the approximate three years since BNFN has distributed food and funding to feeding centers throughout the country, the program has donated more than $350,000 to its partners.
"It's an absolute honor for me to be able to meet with anyone who is doing so much for their community," said Smith. "Whether here in New Providence or on any other island in The Bahamas, I always want to make sure that I am in touch with those who are helping us get food to the people who need it the most."
Knowles said working with Smith and the BNFN has been a blessing and that the donation would go a long way toward helping people, both inside and outside of his church who struggle daily to provide basic nutrition to their families.
Harbour Island is a mere 60 miles from New Providence, but access to resources can sometimes be scarce -- a scenario common among the Family Islands. While this group represents only 13 percent of the total population in the country, its poverty rate is significantly higher (17.2 percent) than in New Providence (12.4 percent) and Grand Bahama (9.4 percent)
"Poverty rates are on the rise, leaving children in the Family Islands, in particular, even more vulnerable to experiencing hunger," said Smith. "If we want to eradicate hunger in The Bahamas, the Family Islands must be a part of that."
Because of this, BNFN recently expanded its reach by partnering with 20 organizations in Grand Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera and Abaco, bringing its grand total of NGO partners to 110.
Smith said it was not only access to resources that was contributing to the escalating hunger issue in The Bahamas, but dwindling natural resources as well.
"While most people recognize that the world is facing a future of water shortages, not everyone fully grasps that this could also mean a future of food shortages," said Smith. "We're trying to do everything we can to raise funds and awareness today so that we're prepared for any eventuality the future may bring."
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