Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.
POVERTY ALLEVIATION
While we support programs and projects across a range of sectors, our core goal is to mediate in the development and financing of projects and programs that will contribute to the Social and Community Development of St. Maarten. One direct way that we achieve this goal is by supporting projects that focus solely on poverty reduction.
Formed on October 28, 2014, the Bishop W. M. Ellis Foundation’s poverty alleviation efforts focus on meeting nutritional needs by providing food for those that need it most. For two hundred and fifty families of three to eight persons, the foundation provides food hampers to ensure that no one is crippled by hunger. Aside from families, the foundation also supplies groceries for individuals with limited mobility, removing the worries of food insecurity a top of health concerns. Through their outreach activities, the foundation is easing the strain of at least one aspect of poverty.
Pulach Mahadeo
The Freegan Food Foundation is a non-profit organization that focuses on reducing food waste and providing free food to those in need. The foundation’s mission is to rescue edible food that would otherwise be discarded and redistribute it to people who are experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, or other socio-economic challenges. The organization collects food from a variety of sources, including grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and restaurants, that would otherwise be thrown away due to overproduction, expiration dates, or cosmetic imperfections. The foundation also works to raise awareness about food waste and encourage sustainable food practices in the community.
Joost de Jong
Operating a meals program at the Milton Peters College, Maximizing Pupils Chances Foundation provides hot meals throughout the school week for 80 to 100 students at St. Maarten’s largest secondary school. Run by the school’s teachers and staff members, the foundation seeks to remove all obstacles to students’ learning. Through the provision of daily meals as well as other needs such as eyeglasses, the foundation has been quietly ensuring that all students of Milton Peters College can meet their full potential and excel academically.
Laticia Brown
