At least 1500 youngsters across the Cayman Islands have experienced a back-to-school bonus.
Foster’s Food Fair IGA staff recently handed over knapsacks and school supplies valued at $15,000 to Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and Education Department officials.
After distributing the bags and supplies to its clients, DCFS has now begun to make presentations to students in the government schools.
The first school presentation took place at the George Town Primary School Thursday, 16 September.
On hand for the presentation were Minister of Community Affairs, Gender and Housing the Hon Mike Adam, MBE, JP; George Town MLA Ellio Solomon, JP; Foster’s Managing Director Woody Foster; DCFS Director Deanna Lookloy; DCFS Disaster Services Coordinator Lynda Mitchell and George Town Primary School Principal Marie Martin.
Mr. Foster explained that the current economic downturn that is affecting so many families’ budgets motivated his organisation to extend a helping hand with the back-to-school effort. “Plus we wanted to do something special for the community to celebrate our supermarket’s 30th anniversary,” he said.
Minister Adam thanked the company for its generosity, noting that some of the economic pressures customarily associated with the new school year would now be reduced.
Ministry has been getting requests from families for help. We are grateful for partnerships such as this one with Fosters which supplement government’s resources and enable us to help more persons in need of assistance, “ Minister Adam said.
Describing the gift as “an incredible donation at a time of great need,” Minister Anglin said that Foster’s was setting a fine example. “I look forward to more companies stepping up to help,” Mr. Anglin noted.
“Our clients have been very grateful for the gifts, and I am sure that the primary schools students and their parents will be just as appreciative of the kind gesture from Fosters Food Fair,” Mrs. Look Loy noted.
