GREEN ISLAND, Hanover — It was a “bittersweet” moment for Rotary Club of Green Island Sunrise and Shack Foundation when they partnered to feed shut-ins and street people in and around Green Island on Independence Day.

While the group had prepared supplies for 150, the demand was greater and approximately 50 people were unable to get a warm meal, a bottle of drink, and water.

“The needs are great. Right now I am saddened. It is a bittersweet feeling but I am satisfied with what we were able to do,” stated Shack Foundation founder and member of Rotary Club of Green Island Sunrise Mary Quarrie.

She said that, going forward, more sponsorship will be needed as the group tries to meet the growing demand.

Quarrie started the initiative in 2012 before heading overseas. She resumed in 2017 after returning to Jamaica. Two years later she became a founding member of Rotary Club of Green Island Sunrise and the club partnered with her foundation. A small organisation, the six-year-old club was able to contribute $25,000 to this year’s summer feeding initiative.

The feeding programme is held twice per year — during the summer and Yuletide periods.

One mother of four who is both a beneficiary and volunteer, Genise Malcolm, was very happy for the initiative.

“It is excellent. It has been a benefit to a lot of people and also to myself because I always help around and assist in issuing food and I got for my family, also,” stated Malcolm, who also described some of the horrible conditions in which some of the recipients were seen.

Service Above Self is the official motto of Rotary International and this was emphasised during a recent presidential installation ceremony for Rotary Club of Green Island Sunrise in Hanover. The community-focused organisation is dedicated to youth and community development within the Green Island area. It was formed in 2019 and officially chartered into Rotary International in 2021. President Novia Parkinson, who was installed for a second term two weeks ago, said the club has initiated several projects over the years.

She noted that during the 2024/2025 term, the club partnered with Lions Club of Savanna-la-Mar to provide 25 care packages for Hanover residents impacted by Hurricane Beryl which hit sections of the island in July 2024. The partnership has also allowed for the provision of free eye testing for more than 200 residents, some of whom received free prescriptions, prescribed eyeglasses and referrals for cataract surgery.

Parkinson said Vision EyeCare out of Canada, which facilitated the eye screening, will be back to provide more service to the people of Hanover in November.

President of Rotary Club of Green Island Sunrise Novia Parkinson being pinned by activity governor for Rotary district 720 Ramon Bremmer. (Photos: Anthony Lewis)