Fraser-Pryce collaborates with grocer for disaster relief

Sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and an online grocery company forged a winning partnership in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Her Pocket Rocket Foundation and South Florida-based GroceryList Jamaica delivered relief packages to people in areas affected by the Category 5 storm.

Fraser-Pryce contacted the organisation shortly after Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28. They assisted her foundation to move care packages to St Elizabeth, which sustained severe damage.

“Working with Shelly-Ann was a blessing, because what she stood up for in terms of giving back as a philanthropist in the climax of a hurricane takes a lot of sacrifice. I know the partnership established in STETHS (St Elizabeth Technical High School) , there were some athletes who were unable to get food, so we were active mostly in that region,” said Jermain Morgan, chief operating officer for GroceryList Jamaica.

He added that, “The Pocket Rocket Foundation needed a fast, local logistics partner. We already had the delivery network. Shelly-Ann handles awareness and selects priority groups; we handle sourcing, packing, and last-mile delivery.”

The multiple Olympic and World Championships gold medallist launched the non-profit Pocket Rocket Foundation in 2014. Its initiatives include providing scholarships and mentorship for student athletes.

Morgan, who is from Clarendon, founded GroceryList Jamaica three years ago with Rory Richards, who is the company’s chief executive officer. Its diverse clientèle utilises its network of over 250 stores and drivers to deliver items to relatives and organisations in Jamaica.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, GroceryList Jamaica has moved water, canned food, rice, flour, baby formula, diapers, batteries, flashlights, tarpaulins, basic hardware and fresh produce to affected communities.

Hurricane Melissa caused widespread damage in several rural parishes. St Elizabeth, Westmoreland and St James suffered the brunt of its 185 miles per hour winds, which destroyed infrastructure, homes, hospitals, businesses and caused 45 deaths.