GraceKennedy helps Hurricane Sandy relief effort

Morant Bay Infirmary gets products

Some three weeks after Hurricane Sandy made its impact on Jamaica, GraceKennedy headed to the hardest hit sections of the island to assist those still in need with food and drink from its Grace Foods line.

Teams from the company made their way through Portland and St Thomas on Tuesday, November 5, dropping off care packages to hundreds of Jamaicans in those parishes.

Overall, GraceKennedy contributed 1,000 cases of its Chillin' line of water, flavoured water and drinks, as well as 1,000 cases of corned beef to those in the worst-affected areas. The products, valued at some $5.6 million, were distributed with the assistance of the Jamaica Red Cross.

good turnout

Thousands of Jamaicans who heard that Grace was headed their way, turned out to benefit. Included in the stops made on the day-long initiative were Yallahs, Morant Bay, Port Morant and Golden Grove in St Thomas, and Manchioneal and Long Bay in Portland.

Grace Foods and Services marketing manager, Tania Christie, was humbled by the experience.

"I am just overwhelmed at having met so many wonderful people today, who are in real need. I am so happy that GraceKennedy was able to do its part in helping to supplement those needs, if even for a time," she said.

Her sentiment was echoed by Grace Foods and Services (GFS) general manager, Robert Walker.

"We are the company that chooses to care. We believe in giving back, and it gave the team great joy and fulfilment to be able to be give our time today, to make a difference," he said.