Nearly 2,000 individuals are supported by the Bahamas Red Cross Society’s Meals on Wheels and Parcel/Voucher programmes on a weekly basis.

As this number increases and the charity’s ‘donor dollars’ dwindle, a recent $12,000 donation will ensure that its feeding efforts continue this holiday season and for many months to come.

The donation, made by CIBC FirstCaribbean, follows the bank’s decision to take an alternative approach to its annual festivities by foregoing this year’s Christmas staff party.

With safety at the forefront, the bank instead donated a percentage of its staff Christmas party funds to the Bahamas Red Cross Society to assist in its efforts to alleviate hunger. “We know that this year has been unprecedented.

First we came into the year with the impacts of Hurricane Dorian and then we walked right into the COVID-19 pandemic, said Mrs. Gezel Farrington, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Director of Retail Banking Channels.

She continued, “Many families across The Bahamas are in need. They are going hungry and right around this time they would’ve been preparing for the Christmas holidays.

They would’ve been marking off their lists, buying gifts, and preparing to travel. But unfortunately they are at a standstill.”

Mrs. Farrington said the Bahamas Red Cross Society is a tremendous organization that benefits the lives of so many around the country.

“We know that as long as we as a corporate sponsor sow into them, it will reach the needs of Bahamians,” she said.

The Bahamas Red Cross Society’s Meals on Wheels initiative directly combats the food insecurity faced by vulnerable individuals and families who are sometimes also met with health and financial challenges.

The parcel/ voucher programme is designed for individuals who can prepare their own meals but are in need.

Volunteers source, prepare, package, and personally deliver nutritious meals to the elderly, shut-in, disabled, and now, persons feeling the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms. Terez Curry, President of the Bahamas Red Cross Society, commended the bank for its continued support as a corporate sponsor and said the donation will go a long way in assisting with its many feeding programmes.

“CIBC FirstCaribbean has been with us for many years, assisting with our programmes and assisting us along the way to help those who are most vulnerable in our communities,” she said. Ms. Curry noted that the bank withholding from having their Christmas party to donate to the Bahamas Red Cross Society, and ultimately to those who are most vulnerable during this time, is commendable of a corporate citizen.

“We graciously thank them for all they have done, all they are doing, and all they will continue to do,” she said.

CIBC FirstCaribbean has decided to donate a percentage of staff Christmas party funds to the Bahamas Red Cross Society, an organisation that is helping to alleviate the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. L-R: Glenda Whylly, Sr. Manager in the Managing Director’s Office, CIBC FirstCaribbean; Terez Curry, President, Bahamas Red Cross Society; Gezel Farrington, Director of Retail Banking Channels, CIBC First Caribbean. Photo Credit: ashley@serenawilliams-pr.com