– will continue for 24 weeks 

THE Guyanese Outreach, a nonprofit charitable organisation, on Tuesday held its second Food Basket’ Project distribution which is aimed at providing hampers to vulnerable families in Number 71 and other surrounding villages, in East Berbice-Corentyne.

During the exercise, 66 families in need were given chicken and grocery items. The distribution will continue every Tuesday for the next six months.

According to the 88-year-old founder of the organisation, Ruth Singh, after she became aware of many struggles faced by families after their breadwinners lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and other factors, she sought donations and tried to provide a family in need a hamper consisting of a balanced diet.

“There are many families and single parents that are facing a very hard time and when I heard of this it grieves my heart. I am from Guyana and I know my people and their culture and recognise the struggles, I was greatly saddened and wanted to help so I sought donations from my fellow Guyanese who were willing to assist,” Singh, an overseas-based Guyanese, explained.

She said she has reached out to many Guyanese in the diaspora and is optimistic she can continue beyond the six months timeline as more funds become available.

Singh, who resides in the United States, is originally from the Upper-Corentyne community and has been doing philanthropic works through the Guyanese Outreach Organisation for the residents since 1995.

The organisation focuses mainly on educational programmes for both children and adults. However given the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on fishing and agriculture sectors in the Upper Corentyne area, a decision was taken for the organisation to shift their focus to help the residents by providing basic food items.

Singh is appealing to the business community and the diaspora to get on board so that together the residents would not have to worry where their next meal will come from.

Persons desirous of assisting can reach out to the organisation via their website http://www.guyaneseoutreach.org/