SCOTIABANK is celebrating its partnership with World Central Kitchen, which helped deliver more than 6.7 million meals to families across over 180 communities in western Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.

Through a CAD$100,000 ($11 million) donation and the support of Scotia Foundation volunteers, the partnership ensured families had access to hot, nutritious meals immediately after the Category 5 storm, restoring dignity and comfort at a time of profound need.

The contribution formed part of the $165 million initially earmarked by the bank to support Jamaica’s recovery in the wake of Melissa, which hit the island on October 28, 2025.

“Hurricane Melissa affected communities across Jamaica in unprecedented ways,” said Yanique Forbes Patrick, head of Caribbean Corporate Affairs, Scotiabank.

“From the moment the storm passed, families were faced with the immediate challenge of accessing food. Through our donation to World Central Kitchen, we aimed not just to help feed people, but to bring moments of care and dignity back into their lives. The scale of impact and the spirit of community we witnessed throughout this response is truly inspiring,” added Forbes.

On Christmas Eve, Scotia Foundation volunteers observed first-hand the impact of World Central Kitchen’s operations as team members stepped away from their desks to distribute meals at Catherine Hall Primary School in St James.

More than 1,000 families were touched by those efforts just before the holiday.

The support from Scotiabank was a welcome addition to activities of World Central Kitchen which deployed teams, worked with local chefs, and partnered with restaurants and volunteers to scale up meal production quickly — serving millions of meals that combined nourishment with familiar Jamaican flavours.

The organisation’s work helped to bridge the gap in food access while communities restored utilities, livelihoods, and normal routines.

“We are incredibly grateful for Scotiabank’s support,” said Tunde Wackman, chief development officer, World Central Kitchen.

“This contribution helped us reach far more people with hot, culturally familiar meals at a time when food security was one of the greatest daily worries for families across the island. When people have a proper meal, it strengthens both body and spirit — it helps communities to heal,” added Wackman.

World Central Kitchen concludes its nearly three-month, post-Melissa, relief operation in Jamaica shortly.

Scotiabank’s donation to WCK followed its support of Food For the Poor to the tune of $18 million.

David Bale (left) of World Central Kitchen, takes Scotia Foundation Director Deleen Powell on a tour of its field kitchen established at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. 

The World Central Kitchen Team busy packaging meals that formed part of the special Christmas Eve lunch served to people who were impacted by Hurricane Melissa.