The Hyacinth Richardson Foundation (HREAF) kicks off food assistance program

SINT MAARTEN (ST. PETERS) - On Saturday, August 29, 2020, thirty-two families received two bags of groceries, bottled water, face masks and COVID-19 awareness pamphlets compliments of Hyacinth Richardson Educational Awareness Foundation and Secours Populaire Français.

The two organizations intend to give away 260 food bags during the week to families and senior citizens negatively impacted by COVID-crisis.

The Hyacinth Richardson Educational Awareness Foundation, HREAF, founded by Member of Parliament Hyacinth Richardson, has found an international partner in Secours Populaire Français (SPF), a French popular Relief organization, which is a non-profit organization founded in 1945, dedicated to fighting poverty in public life in over 80 countries around the world.

HREAF and SPF have been partners since after Irma, when the organizations joined forces to provide relief in the hurricane's aftermath. The present cooperation between the organizations entails not only providing food assistance but also bringing awareness for the COVID-19 crisis and the health protocols aid recipients need to follow.

At the Dessam supermarket location in St. Peters, the HREAF and SPF gave relief to families in need of food assistance in this district in the form of these food bags. For families to pick up the food bags, they first need to have received a voucher from the foundation. The organization has a list of persons who are in need of aid.

Penha donated the bags the groceries are packed in.

In the coming days, the two organizations intend to do all possible to help families in need on St. Maarten.