By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

SERVANTS of Jesus, in partnership with the Better World Foundation in Florida, held its second annual ‘Celebrate Jesus’ Christmas lunch for over 1,000 persons in three communities in Grand Bahama.

Grace Shepherd, executive director of Servants of Jesus, said the group went into the communities of Eight Mile Rock, Pinder’s Point and Garden Villas and provided hot Christmas meals to poor families.

“Last time we fed 700 people … and the response was amazing. So, this year we realised the need was far greater as the island is still economically challenged,” she said.

She noted that the Foundation’s mission is to take care of the needs of the poor and the downtrodden around the world. “The need for basics like food and shelter on the island, especially in Eight Mile Rock is very, very dire ... we need to collectively do so much more for those hurting,” Ms Shepherd said.

She said that persons were served a full five-star gourmet Christmas lunch thanks to the generosity and support from various sponsors.

Due to overabundance of food, Ms Shepherd said that an additional 500 meals were given as takeaway plates.

Tenzy Russell, event manager for Servants of Jesus, said that there are a lot of distressed families in the Eight Mile Rock community. The group distributed lunch coupons to the needy two days in advance, and hundreds turned out.

“Hundreds waited three hours to collect their food. And when asked if they would go and return later they refused because that was the only Christmas meal they would receive,” she said.

Ms Russell noted that many persons in the community are poor and were very appreciative. Ms Shepherd said they plan to make it an annual event and is calling on more volunteers to join them in helping to feed those in need.