A charity in Warwick which helps people by providing food has received a $25,000 grant from the Government.

Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, said the financial support to the Eliza DoLittle Society was made possible through a grant application process and the Midyear Budget Review’s social investment fund allocation.

She highlighted that the grant underscores the Government’s commitment to supporting organisations that make meaningful and measurable differences to the lives of people in need.

At the charity’s office this afternoon, the minister said the donation represented a call to action to make sure that residents do not go without meals to nourish their bodies and minds.

Ms Furbert said almost 30 per cent of people on the island faced food insecurity, with 10 per cent experiencing extreme deprivation.

She added: “These numbers highlight that hunger is not simply about empty stomachs, it profoundly impacts health, education and opportunity, shaping the lives of our people in far-reaching ways.”

Over the past year, the Eliza DoLittle Society has served almost 1,000 families, as it distributed more than 16,000 bags of groceries across the island.

Ms Furbert said: “These numbers tell a powerful story, neighbours helping neighbours.

“Volunteers dedicating their time and a community united in bridging the gap for those in need.”

She said pantries such as those operated by the society and other charities were lifelines that provided fresh food, frozen meats and other essentials items.

The minister added: “The Eliza DoLittle Society enables families to provide nutritious meals that not only fill plates but also sustain health and vitality.”

“Today let us reaffirm our commitment to Bermuda, where everyone has not only enough to eat but also the resources and support to thrive.”

Clare Mello-Robinson, the executive director of the Eliza DoLittle Society, thanked the Government for its assistance.

She said the grant would support the charity’s pantry operations and ensure that its client households had groceries during the upcoming holiday season.

Ms Mello-Robinson said the charity provided a bag of groceries to an average of 350 households weekly, with the donations covering the size of each household.

She added: “We’ve raised funds to purchase the food, all the food which goes into the grocery bags is food which is purchased from the wholesalers.”

Ms Mello-Robinson said the charity’s pantry was usually well-stocked, although it did not receive the same quantity of donated food as it did a year ago.