WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — The St Anthony’s Kitchen in Negril which is committed to feeding people in need within the resort town and its environs is reporting an uptick in the number of residents seeking warm meals ahead of the approach of Hurricane Melissa.

“There were a lot of people whom I did not see before, but that is fine because we have no requirement. The only requirement is that you are hungry,” stated coordinator of the feeding initiative, Tim Lamb.

The kitchen which is operated by the Mary Gate of Heaven Catholic Church in Negril provides a warm meal five days per week starting with breakfast for hungry children heading to school and lunch for adults in the day.

Lamb told Observer Online that in general, approximately 158 meals are served daily. However, over the past week, close to 200 meals were served.

“This past week, it has been really high all week. So, people were, I think, concerned about the storm and wanted to get some food,” stated Lamb.

“We have on average about 158 people per day which is a little high. So, we have seen an uptick in people who are getting food in anticipation of the storm,”_ he added.

The kitchen is being supported by the Rotary Club of Negril, Grace Kennedy, hotelier Daniel Grizzle and others.

— Anthony Lewis

The Mary Gate of Heaven Catholic Church members, Tim Lamb (left) and Phil McCarter (right) packaging box meals for distribution.