Vaughansfield Primary families get $10,000 in food vouchers
Published:Tuesday | February 10, 2026 | 12:13 AMKeisha Hill/Senior Gleaner Writer
A community-driven relief initiative led by Mission:FoodPossible (M:FP) is making a marked impact in St James, highlighting the role of partnership, compassion and dignity in tackling hunger. The non-profit organisation – focused on combating hunger, strengthening food security and reducing food waste through practical training and community-based solutions – recently implemented its M:FP C.A.R.E. (Community Assistance for Relief & Empowerment) voucher programme at Vaughansfield Primary and Infant School.
Mission:FoodPossible works with schools, community partners and public-sector stakeholders to help families access nutritious, affordable meals, using local and indigenous foods wherever possible. At Vaughansfield, the organisation delivered tangible support to the families of students most in need, providing supermarket vouchers valued at up to $10,000.
Vaughansfield Primary was selected not only based on need, but also because of a personal connection. The school is the alma mater of Jason Malcolm, a long-time community advocate from Roper, St James, and one of the closest friends of Mission:FoodPossible founder Peter Ivey. The two have shared a lifelong bond since attending Paul Robeson High School in New York. Malcolm has supported the community before, including through hurricane relief efforts following Hurricane Melissa, and this latest initiative marked a meaningful milestone as Mission:FoodPossible extended support to the school and the wider community.
‘Protect dignity’
The M:FP C.A.R.E. Voucher Programme was inspired by a simple but powerful truth: when families experience financial strain, children often feel the effects first, particularly in the classroom, the organisers said.
“We chose vouchers because they protect dignity and preserve choice,” Ivey said. “Food distribution can be helpful, but families’ needs aren’t one-size-fits-all. Vouchers allow parents to prioritise what their household actually needs while ensuring support goes directly toward food and essentials.”
Families were identified through the school community, with principal Marilyn Samuels-Porter guiding the process to ensure fairness, privacy and respect. Clear criteria, school-based verification and discreet distribution helped to avoid stigma and ensured support reached those in greatest need. Malcolm’s long-standing relationships across Flamstead, Roper and Tangle River further strengthened trust and cultural understanding.
In total, 26 families received vouchers, easing the pressure of rising food costs and helping stabilise meals at home so students can arrive at school ready to learn. Feedback from parents and school administrators has been overwhelmingly positive, with many families expressing relief and gratitude.
Beyond financial assistance, organisers say the programme’s most profound impact has been the restoration of dignity. “When a parent can choose what to buy for their family, it restores a sense of control. Empowerment isn’t a slogan, it’s what people feel when support meets them with respect,” Ivey said.
Beyond short-term relief
The initiative also extends beyond short-term relief. Vaughansfield Primary has been selected to participate in Mission:FoodPossible’s annual food security training programme, delivered in observance of World Food Day in October. The training will focus on strengthening skills, knowledge, and local food practices that reduce vulnerability and build resilience.
“Relief helps families breathe today; training helps communities build tomorrow. By pairing immediate support with long-term capacity-building, we are responding to hardship while helping communities reduce vulnerability over time,” Ivey said.
The programme highlights the growing need for community-based responses to food insecurity in Jamaica, demonstrating how schools, small businesses, donors and non-profits can work together to achieve meaningful change. Partnerships with Buggi’s Mini Mart and donors who contributed via GoFundMe were instrumental in making the initiative possible.
Mission:FoodPossible plans to expand the C.A.R.E. Voucher Programme to more schools and communities as resources permit, while strengthening monitoring and feedback systems to improve future rollouts.