WILLEMSTAD - While the Covid-19 pandemic revealed the grim hardships many endure within our community, it also turned a spotlight on organizations and individuals that make sure that members of our community that are in desperate need, receive much needed basic necessities in order to survive.
When our community was struck by severe economic hardships due to the pandemic, the volunteers of ‘Foodbank - Fundashon Yudansa pa Kòrsou’ stepped up to the plate and lent a supporting hand by organizing and providing thousands of food packages on a regular basis to those in need.
Currently, while Curaçao is fervently moving towards becoming a covid-resilient community, even more families have become heavily dependent on charity organizations in order to have food in their households. CIBC FirstCaribbean recognizes the commendable efforts of the foundation and as a way of offering encouragement and support, made a donation to the Foodbank.
“Although the Foodbank has been providing valuable support since 1977, it wasn’t until the Covid pandemic hit us last year that our community came to really appreciate even more the valuable work done by this foundation,” said Timba Engelhardt, Country Head of CIBC FirstCaribbean.
“Many of our families came to depend on the well-balanced food-packages provided by Foodbank. Unfortunately, a large number of households have not become self-sufficient as of yet and are not able to provide for their daily meals. CIBC FirstCaribbean, therefore, recognizes the importance of offering support to the Foodbank and its team of volunteers in order to encourage them to continue the valuable work they are doing” she added.
The Chairman of the Foodbank, Sheryl Losiabaar said, “We are honored, despite the fact that we would rather not have seen such an increase for our support in our community, to be able to contribute in a significant way to the well-being of our fellow citizens during this pandemic.
“It is a responsibility that we take seriously and are committed to continuing. We wouldn’t be able to do this without the dedication of our volunteers, the collaboration with our partners and the generous contribution such as the one CIBC FirstCaribbean is giving to Foodbank today. We are confident that together we will overcome the challenges faced at the moment and every family in our community will be able to provide for its own daily healthy meals in the near future. Meanwhile Curaçao can reckon on Foodbank for its support,” she said.
Long after the pandemic has passed, generations will continue to remember the tough period of time our community experienced and how we wintered through the pandemic. The legacy of Foodbank will also be remembered as one of the key cornerstones that ensured the survival of many during the pandemic. CIBC FirstCaribbean is glad to have offered encouragement and support, as we are confident that together we will surpass these challenging times.