Petrojam Limited, through its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, has expanded the reach of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation’s (KSAMC’s) Community Development Special Feeding Programme by donating sanitary and personal items for 250 of the programme’s homeless and vulnerable beneficiaries.
The community development initiative was launched by the KSAMC in March 2021 and provides daily meals and other supplies for some of the most vulnerable persons within Kingston and St. Andrew. Petrojam’s donation included essential personal items such as hand sanitisers and other personal hygiene products and has improved the programme’s capacity to serve its target group. The KSAMC welcomed the items noting that many homeless persons have faced additional vulnerabilities during the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
“This donation is representative of Petrojam’s commitment to Jamaicans at all socio-economic levels through participation in initiatives and programmes that will improve lives at the community and national levels,” stated Winston Watson, Petrojam Limited’s General Manager.
He further noted, “I applaud the KSAMC for the dedicated efforts of its officers in ensuring the success of this programme. The living conditions of many Jamaicans, particularly the marginalized and underserved, has diminished as a result of the pandemic; through this programme, the KSAMC is providing critical assistance to that community and Petrojam is happy and proud to lend its support to this cause.”
During the handover ceremony at the KSAMC offices on Church Street, His Worship the Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams noted, “The KSAMC’s feeding programme serves 700-800 homeless persons from the municipality each day. Funding and resources are always a challenge; therefore, support from partners like Petrojam is always welcome.”
“Beyond the literal provision of items, however, we recognise that this donation is a genuine expression of care, kindness and interest in the vulnerable population across the municipality. The KSAMC thanks Petrojam for this donation to our ongoing work,” he added.
Petrojam Limited’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme seeks to impact the lives of Jamaicans through initiatives focused on Health, Education, Sports, Environment and Safety and Community Development. The organisation’s other efforts to alleviate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic include the contribution of modular tents worth US$24,000 to the recently completed field hospital at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) and the donation of fuel valued at J$350,000 to the Ministry of Health and Wellness to offset transportation expenses related to the national fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19).
