Motivated by Christ's famous miracle in which he used five loaves and
two fish to feed 5,000 people, 18-year old Jordon Bennett is aiming to
feed a similar number of homeless Jamaicans.
Already, some 1,500 people living on the streets of Kingston have been fed by the organisation, since its launch in April 2012.
Bennett's charitable work has, however, not gone unnoticed as last month
he received the Youth in Service Award at the Prime Minister's Youth
Award for Excellence 2012 held at Emancipation Park.
"It was such a great honour to know that a country has seen what you
are doing and appreciate it...I really didn't expect any of this and I
am grateful and I just have to keep humble and give God all the thanks
and praise," he told JIS News.
The Northern Caribbean University (NCU) student says he has always had a
passion for helping people, which dates back to his days at Kingsway
High School in Kingston.
He recalled that he sold $20,000 worth of sweets to help fellow students who could not afford graduation costs.
"It is something that I always wanted to do. I always had that passion to give back," he said.
His mission to feed the multitudes started April last year when the
young Rotary Club member decided to forgo an Easter vacation overseas
and devoted the time organising a feeding programme for homeless people
in Kingston. His team of young volunteers distributed some 250 lunches
to persons in different locations of the city.
"We went out to different communities. We mainly targeted the
inner-city communities and we had assistance from the police, my friends
and three family members and we went out and we served," Bennett told
JIS News.
At first, Jordon says he was thinking of a one-day event but plans
changed after the overwhelming support from his friends and donations
from private sector organisations.
The enthusiasm led him to come up with the organisation's name, which
was printed on the back of T-shirts to promote the activity. His friends
later suggested the idea of posting the pictures on social media.
"After that, I got so many messages and realised that there were many
people interested in giving back and I got so excited and I thought,
'wow' let me plan to do something more," he said.
His work was quickly recognised, thanks to exposure on Facebook and the
electronic media. With help from his friends and a few organisations,
which came on board, Bennett said he arranged a second event on December
23, when he fed about 1,300 persons.
"We had a lot of support that day from the volunteers. We went out in
the morning and then went back in the night, because there was so much
food," he recalled.
The youngster, who has high praise for the many donations received from
the volunteers as well as sponsors, Jamaica National Building Society,
Continental Baking Company Ltd, and Big Jo, said "it was such a great
feeling. It was a big success".
While sharing the meals, Bennett says he always tries to show love to
the people he meets and insists that his colleagues do the same.
"I emphasise on that love because that is what sticks with them. The
food is just there for an hour or two, so when we go out we show them
love and show that we appreciate them and understand whatever they are
going through," he said.
The youngster, who is pursuing a Bachelors of Business degree, majoring
in marketing, admitted that organising the meals can be stressful at
times, especially nearing his examinations, but said he remained
dedicated to the effort. "I just say it is my passion... so I just look
at it in a good way," he stated.
Currently, Bennett and his four-member organising committee are
spearheading plans to raise funds for another feeding in December this
year. "It should have been in April but because of the lack of funds
we'll be doing one in December," he said.
He added that this time the organisation will not only be feeding street
people in the downtown and Half-Way-Tree areas, but in other
communities on the outskirts of Kingston.
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Jamaican-youth-aiming-to-feed-5-000_14040325
Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Jamaican-youth-aiming-to-feed-5-000_14040325