TIMELY donations of supplies, furniture and other aid are set to enhance the delivery of services at the East La Penitence Night Shelter.
On Friday, the Night Shelter’s Administrator, Sheila Veerasammy received a large donation from Food For The Poor Guyana Inc., which included hospital beds, sanitary napkins, canes, walkers, paint, storage racks, computer desks, adult diapers, wheelchairs, and garbage bins, among other essential items.
Veerasammy, in brief remarks, while underscoring the important work being done at the shelter to provide comfort to vulnerable groups in the society, expressed gratitude for the substantial donation that was made.
“Over the years, Food For The Poor has been partnering and providing very important support to the Night Shelter, and once again, they are here to provide us with that sort of support that strengthens the services that we are providing to the homeless,” she said.
According to Veerasammy, the shelter has evolved from being a temporary refuge to a permanent home for many.

Currently, healthcare, dental care, and psychiatric care are provided at the shelter, but Veerasammy noted that there is much more room for collaboration, especially with relatives of the shelter’s residents.
“The Night Shelter is a shelter as it is named, but the dynamics in the shelter has changed dramatically from a place where somebody just comes and spends two nights, it is now a full-time home,” she said.
Tabitha Barnwell, the Gifts-In-Kind Manager representing Food For The Poor Guyana Inc., said that the organisation is in the process of rolling out a campaign specifically offering support to agencies that provide care to the elderly.
According to Barnwell, some seven geriatric homes across the city have been earmarked to receive similar support.
Andrea Benjamin, the Chief Executive Officer, of Food For The Poor (Guyana) Inc. disclosed that the aim is to provide comfort to this vulnerable group.

“We know that comfort when dealing with a variety of issues, social and mental issues, this donation today is going to be significant in ensuring that they are comfortable and while they are here, they are treated with dignity and respect,” she said.
Benjamin noted that Food For The Poor would continue to execute its mandate of ensuring that all vulnerable groups and the agencies that provide support have access to the necessities required to provide refuge and comfort.

“We know that the Night Shelter provides critical services for the most vulnerable; we know that this place is here a shelter and a safety, a refuge for men and women seeking shelter. They come within these walls. It has been a long-standing relationship between the two agencies and we are happy to continue to support.
“We have an unwavering commitment to support the development in this country, and we will continue to work with agencies such as the Night Shelter, geriatric homes and other agencies, communities and families,” he said.