Empower Youth International donates food gifts

Underprivileged youth, seniors, and struggling single mothers were given food hampers to help them have a merry Christmas.
Empower Youth International, a charity that helps the most vulnerable and financially challenged youth and their families, handed out 60 hampers filled with non-perishable foods and gifts to marginalized youth during this final week leading up to Christmas. The hampers also included toiletries, treats, gifts and toys and other items for babies and teens.

Director of Empower Youth International and social worker, Mrs Franz Harewood- Hamblin, said she came up with the idea because she recognized so many of the youth she met as a social worker were experiencing some harsh financial times since some of their parents lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and many had very limited means of support.

The charity checked the list of youth who were signed up for their programmes and other institutions they work closely with to identify those in need.

The director noted there was one particular giveaway that was “truly heartwarming” and admitted that she, too, had difficult times growing up. She said: “I have had times as a child where my mom, as a single parent, struggled to provide for us and with COVID-19, the needs of such vulnerable persons have grown exponentially. So the very thought of helping such persons really makes me happy!”

The food hampers and toy drive were part of the charity’s Christmas giving that started on Sunday. The distribution programme will continue every year and was sponsored by several supermarkets, private citizens and members of Empower Youth International.

Mrs Harewood-Hamblin added: “Next year I would like to include fresh vegetables from our Grow Smart Youth farm so that such families can benefit from locally grown organic vegetables. However, we are very pleased with the response we received from the various persons and representatives of the institutions I work closely with.

“Some recipients who were very happy to receive the hampers stated that ‘We are so grateful that Empower Youth International actually thought about me during this time!’”

Mrs Harewood-Hamblin thanked the volunteers who put the hampers together and helped with their distribution as well as the citizens and supermarkets that donated to the charity. “We are extremely grateful for our donors who, despite this difficult time, gave sacrificially. Without their generous donations, Empower Youth International would not be able to do the type of work we’re doing,” she stressed. (PR)