KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) is urging members of the public and charitable groups to adhere to its coordinated feeding programme, even as it continues outreach efforts to support and protect the homeless population.

On Friday, the KSAMC’s Poor Relief Department celebrated Jamaica Day at the Denham Town Golden Age Home, hosting more than 80 residents from four shelters for a day of games, entertainment and traditional Jamaican cuisine. Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby and KSAMC staff served meals and joined in the festivities.

“So physically present we have 80 residents from all four facilities in the common area here — the Desmond Mackenzie Transitional Centre, the Church Street temporary shelter or Marie Atkins Night Shelter as well as the residents at the Denham Town Golden Age home,” KSAMC Acting Inspector Donna Gay Braidy said.

Braidy noted that an additional 20 shut-in residents were also catered for but were unable to participate in the day’s activities and that residents were treated to traditional dishes.

“We would have feted them with the cultural culinary experience so we gave them ackee and saltfish, traditional Jamaican meals, calaloo, festival, jerk chicken, the hot chocolate tea, you name it. We took them back to memory lane,” she said.

She added that Justice of the Peace Patricia Reid engaged residents in an interactive session where they shared their stories and reflected on Jamaica’s independence.

“You have persons here who would have experienced Independence Day. And they were happy for that and they were happy for the community spirit that was brought about by this initiative,” Braidy said.

Noting that the shelters are currently at capacity, she said not all residents were present at the celebration.

“You’ll find that some of our residents, they actually work, some attend schools. So they would not be a part of today’s festivities.”

According to Braidy, several residents are making significant strides academically and professionally.

“School wise a number of them are performing well. I would say that we have a few who even completed their certification through HEART recently and should be graduating. They would have gone out to do work experience at hotels and we have other individuals enrolled in tertiary institutions at the moment,” she said.

While highlighting these successes, Braidy appealed to members of the public to support the KSAMC’s structured feeding programme rather than distributing meals independently on the streets.

“At KSAMC, we push for the coordinated feeding programme. We have a number of individuals and a number of groups that cooperate, but there’s still some delinquents out there. And we’re basically pleading with you to just be cooperative and come in because a structured approach is the best approach,” she said.

She urged interested individuals and organisations to partner with the KSAMC at its 65 Hanover Street location.

“Whenever the feeding programme is not streamlined, you find that there is discord. You find that there are individuals who are duplicating what is being offered and I think that is a waste of resources…resources that we can put in place to better assist in our rehabilitation and reintegration programme.”

She stressed that those wishing to donate meals would still be able to serve directly.

“It’s not that we are taking the meals from you to feed. You will come and you will get to do it hands-on and do it yourself and get that experience of giving back to the less fortunate,” she assured.

Braidy also appealed for compassion towards the homeless.

“The homeless community, they’re humans, they have feelings. They are brothers and sisters, persons who would have fallen on hard times. So I’m appealing to the public to treat them with care. When you see them on the street, do not mistreat them,” she said.