Portland group reaches out to street people

Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

PORT ANTONIO, Portland:THE PORTLAND Principals Association (PPA) on Wednesday prepared and served warm meals to approximately 35 disadvantaged persons in Port Antonio.

Team member Maxine Doyley explained that the PPA has been contemplating the initiative for an extended period, but was unable to kick-start the initiative because of a scarcity of resources.

"Today, we are happy that this dream is now a reality," Doyley commented. "This is an initiative which was fully endorsed by our members, and as such, we are harbouring thoughts of repeating it on a more frequent basis. Today, we decided to partner with the Portland Red Cross, which provides meals, clothing, and toiletries to street people. It was a joy to see the smiles on their faces, as they consume the warm nutritious meal."

As part of its street people feeding programme, the Portland Red Cross provides warm meals daily to approximately 50 underprivileged residents in Port Antonio through volunteers like Karene Forrester.

According to Doyley, every effort will be made to continue with the PPA's programme despite the fact that a new executive will assume duties at the end of October. She, however, pointed out that the outgoing executive will be making a recommendation to the new executive to continue the programme.

The residents were fêted with baked chicken, rice and peas, chocolate and plain cakes and a variety of carbonated beverages. The meals were served at the local Red Cross office in Port Antonio.

The PPA comprises 50 members drawn from Hectors River in the east and Windsor Castle in the west.