Thousands to receive hot meal on Christmas Day
THOUSANDS OF children and senior citizens in the Corporate Area can expect a hot meal on Christmas Day as the Mustard Seed Communities (MSC) embarks on its annual inititiative to serve 6,000 meals in tens of communities.
In a release, the MSC said that a convoy comprising vehicles from its operations and the JDF, escorted by the police, would begin distribution of cooked meals and stuffed toys from 7:30 a.m. in Allman Town, Gold Street, Trench Town, National Heroes Circle, William Grant Park, Olympic Way, Mahoe Drive, Riverton City, Rema, and Fletcher’s Land. Several diplomats will be among the 200 volunteers and soldiers, MSC staff members, relatives of MSC employees, and residents of various communities served by MSC. Support has also been provided by the CHASE Fund.
“The persons to be served have already been identified through discussions held between officials of MSC and community leaders, so those who will benefit are expecting us,” said Darcy TullochWilliams, executive director of MSC Jamaica.
TWO DAYS OF PREPARATION
She noted that preparation of the 6,000 meals takes two days. On the first day, the seasoning of the meats and preparation of the ingredients for the side dishes are done at MSC offices. Half the seasoned items are then transported to the JDF headquarters, where they are cooked and packaged for distribution while the remaining half is done at the MSC location.
Tulloch-Williams said that both the MSC and JDF cooks work all night on Christmas Eve then join the other volunteers in the distribution of the cooked meals and toys on Christmas Day.
“The planning for the annual event is extensive and begins months before distribution day, with the support of many individuals, companies, JDF, and JCF. But we never get weary of doing this each year because we have seen how it lifts the spirits of the persons we serve who would not otherwise have had a hot meal on Christmas day,” she noted. The stuffed toys handed out are collected over the year from various drives around the world and donated specifically for distribution during the Christmas treat.
The feeding programme was established 23 years ago by Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon, who envisioned a social intervention initiative to reflect the true spirit of Christmas. “Christmas time is about forgetting self and finding time for others. After all, the season should not be only about opening our presents, but opening our hearts as well,” he said.
The Mustard Seed Communities – with 13 homes in Jamaica and homes in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic – was founded over 40 years by Monsignor Ramkissoon. The organisation provides food and shelter for 500 abandoned children who are physically and mentally disabled or affected by HIV/AIDS. Mustard Seed Communities also provides accommodation for pregnant teens.