Several V.I. charities are holding food drives this week to mark National Hunger and Homelessness Week, according to Government House.
The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence St. Thomas/St. John is holding a food drive on St. John throughout the week. The organization is asking St. John residents to drop off nonperishable canned foods in boxes located at all major food markets on the island for redistribution to the homeless, according to a Government House statement.
On Friday evening, St. Croix Mission Outreach is sponsoring a Hunger and Homelessness Week Dinner for the Homeless.
On St. Thomas, the Interact Clubs of Antilles School and Montessori School are also sponsoring food drives throughout the week. Food collected by the students will be donated to The Salvation Army.
Gov. John deJongh Jr. issued a proclamation marking National Hunger and Homelessness Week in the territory and preceding this week’s observance, first lady Cecile deJongh launched an initiative, in partnership with Catholic Charities, on hunger and homelessness to encourage residents to donate food. A territory-wide food drive was held Nov. 5–6. Cecile deJongh also encourages Virgin Islanders to participate in her year-round Tiny Tokens of Hope initiative, which assists the homeless by providing hygiene kits.
“We all have to do more to help our less-fortunate neighbors find permanent shelter and otherwise assist so that they don’t have to struggle in getting nutritional meals. And we all should recognize the work of selfless volunteers who rise to that mission every day,” the governor said in a statement.
The week is set aside to educate the public about the many reasons people are hungry and homeless, including the shortage of affordable housing for very low-income residents and families. The week also serves as an occasion to encourage support for homeless assistance service providers, as well as community service opportunities for students and school service organizations.
Organizations such as the Methodist Training and Outreach Center, Catholic Charities, Clear Blue Sky, Eagle’s Nest, Ten Thousand Helpers, The Village, The Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, the Women’s Coalition, St. Croix Mission Outreach, the Lighthouse Mission, The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and My Brother’s Table are just some of the service providers in the V.I. community offering assistance to the territory’s hungry and homeless populations, according to the statement.
“These organizations are all deserving of our recognition and support,” the governor said.
