PSU Youth Committee distributes care packages to needy individuals

Helping the people in society who are most in need is important, so with this in mind, the Public Service Union’s (PSU) Youth Committee has embarked on an initiative to do just that.

The initiative involves the distribution of food supplies and clothing- items donated by several members of society.

Chair of the Committee, Nyokia Cupid, said the charity drive was conceptualized as it is evident that there are people who need help with basic necessities, but are sometimes not reached.

She said the group wanted to help as many persons as they could, especially during the holiday season, seen as a time of giving.

Last Saturday, January 4, 2025 Cupid, along with committee members Casairo Cumberbatch and Carlon Samuel, journeyed into several areas accompanied by Lystra Richards, a social worker from the Ministry of National Mobilization to do distribution of packages.

“This is the first time the youth committee has done a charity drive. It was for Christmas, but we put it off until last Saturday because they always say January is the hardest time of the year so I decided we would do something to help out people in need.

“This really opened my eyes to what is needed,” Cupid told SEARCHLIGHT. The team did distributions in such communities as Largo Height and Belair, she said.

“We will be going out again to more persons below the poverty line and also elders. It was good that we could have provided relief to some persons and they were appreciative. There was a blind woman and she lives with her daughter who had a stroke so we were glad that we could help,” Cupid added.

Among the items in the packages were flour, sugar, rice, corn meal, toothbrushes, ramen, power drinks and clothing. Cupid said the group is planning another distribution for tomorrow, January 11, where they will focus on provision of clothing.

Richards, the social worker who assisted the group, said it was a good idea, and people were happy for the donation.

“Since the eruption of the volcano, it showed me a lot people need help, and giving back to the needy is very important,” Richards said.

Cupid also said they are hoping to make the initiative an annual event. She acknowledged the persons who contributed to the drive including lawyer, Susan Commissiong; Dr. Alisha Bonadie; nurse Leorol Gibson; teacher Genee Mulraine; mechanic Jeffrey Mulraine; and businessman Michael John of the Lion’s Club and Computec. St. Vincent Corrugated Containers Incorporated was also recognized for their contribution.