Stacia Whittaker, Manager of the HIV/AIDS Food Bank.
Whilst the HIV/AIDS Food Bank has received a reasonable flow of donations this Yuletide season, compared to the contributions made in previous years, there has been somewhat of a fall off.
Stacia Whittaker, Manager of the HIV/AIDS Food Bank, says she believes that the increase in charitable organisations on the island, has contributed to the fall off in the donation of food and hygiene items, as Barbadians are also giving to these other entities. Noting that as the New Year opens, persons living with HIV and AIDS, who are often heading households, will need greater assistance in meeting their basic nutritional needs for varying reasons. Whittaker says the Food Bank is willing to accept donations, great or small, as the year closes and a new one is ushered in.
“We did get some reasonable contributions this season, which is normal. We do see an increase in donations at Christmas, but compared to the other years, it is not as before,” Whittaker told The Barbados Advocate.
“In general, we were still low this year, especially in the last quarter, that it was to a point where anything and everything was needed. So even at this time, [we need donations] to take us into the New Year, because you would imagine that by January, these donations will slow down. So going into the New Year, we would say that donations as usual are needed still, non-perishable food, ground foods, vegetables – anything of that sort is still needed,” the Food Bank Manager said.
In terms of the number of clients accessing the Food Bank, Whittaker pointed out that the numbers fluctuate, as persons come and go, as needed, or as their situation changes. “It’s like a revolving door, because sometimes when people fall off for one
reason or the other; whether they are able now to manage their food needs better, or probably they get a job, or due to other circumstances, sometimes, what happens, you see a fall off, but then you see an increase [again], in that you see new referrals
coming in,” she explained. “[Seeing] new people doesn’t necessarily mean that they are newly diagnosed; it may simply mean that they have fallen on hard times and are now seeking to access the Food Bank,” Whittaker stated.
Whittaker meanwhile, pointed out that as the Food Bank assists persons with HIV and AIDS on the nutritional front, it provides them with the means to better cope and live with their disease and an opportunity to thrive, as they can now concentrate on other priority areas. (RSM)
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