KINGSTON, Jamaica — Up to 2,000 individuals have benefited from a meal distribution programme sponsored by City Flames Buffet & Grill Limited in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.

According to the restaurant and catering service provider, areas targeted were in Kingston, Portmore and Spanish Town. It said the initiative took course over the period of five days between preparation and distribution to beneficiaries.

Distribution began on Wednesday July 10, in the Kingston region to the communities of Jones Town, Wilton Gardens and Hannah Town and in areas of Central Kingston.

On Thursday July 11, the team went to Portmore communities, more specifically Independence City, Westchester, Portsmouth and Gregory Park.

The final day of distribution was on Sunday July 15 in Spanish Town to the communities of Gordon Pen, Nugent Street, Tawes Meadows, Ellerslie Pen, Ensom City and Eltham.

The restaurant said the beneficiaries were able to enjoy hot meals consisting of fried chicken and escovitch fish served with refreshments.

Franklyn Mason Jr, one of the directors of City Flames Buffet & Grill Limited, formerly known as The Jungle Fiah Buffet Restaurant Limited, says the next staging of this initiative will be in December 2024 and will be targeting homeless shelters.

“The charitable spirit of this company has been going 10 years strong and has somewhat become a company policy. We decided to do this in the wake of Hurricane Beryl as most of these beneficiaries were really just in need of a hot meal and warm smiles. We decided to start with areas that were in the general proximity of our locations. Our aim was to give back to up to 2,000 elderly, sick and shut-in and homeless people and I am glad to report that this was executed successfully,” Mason shared.

“It is our utmost wish that initiatives like these will inspire other private commercial entities that have never given back to consider otherwise,” he added.