Massy Stores assists Methodist Primary students and families

June 18^th, 2021

Over 200 primary school students were beneficiaries of a recent “breakfast bag” initiative by Massy Stores Saint Lucia. The June 24 project was spearheaded by members of the Massy Stores Volunteer Programme who felt that the COVID-19 pandemic presented the perfect opportunities for volunteerism and community aid.

The Gordon and Walcott Memorial Methodist Primary School is the first of three organizations to benefit from the new community outreach initiative. The school was chosen based on discussions held with the principal, Ms. Margaret Gabriel, that revealed that some students were unable to have regular meals after being displaced by COVID-19.

Mrs. Nickler Velinor-Paul, Division Head for Human Resources at Massy Stores Saint Lucia said the volunteer group, made up of more than 1300 members, was eager to help.

“Because of social distancing measures and the need to avoid congregating and group activities, our volunteer programme was put on hold. However, we felt that it was the opportune time to give back and make a difference,” she said.

Principal of the Gordon and Walcott Memorial School, Ms. Margaret Gabriel, thanked Massy Stores for coming to the aid of students affected by the pandemic.

“Massy Stores has offered a healthy breakfast to each of our students,” she said. “We want to thank Massy Distribution and Massy Stores for providing the snacks and breakfast items to students to help them along, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This intervention is very timely, so we are very grateful for that.”

Having maintained contact with Principal Gabriel, Massy Stores again visited the Gordon and Walcott Memorial Methodist Primary School on July 13, to donate 40 grocery hampers to the families of students negatively impacted by the pandemic-fueled economic downturn.

Managing Director of Massy Stores Saint Lucia, Mr. Martin Dorville, led the outreach initiative.

“Massy Stores wants to let all of you know that we will continue to be there,” he said. “We are here again, and it is because of the conversations that we had with Principal Gabriel. We feel blessed to be able to conduct such projects within our communities. This is part of our business. We have an obligation to help the communities that we serve and to be a beacon of hope in difficult situations. Projects like these are incredibly important to us, and while we cannot do everything, we promise to always do our best. Today, we are happy that we can put some joy in our kids’ hearts and smiles on their faces.”

Principal Gabriel explained that unemployment was the major factor influencing the most recent challenges experienced by students.

“At this particular time where many of our families are struggling with the effects of COVID-19, unemployment, and the recent impact of Hurricane Elsa, Massy Stores has been generous and caring, and has brought further relief to our families and students at the Gordon and Walcott Memorial Methodist School. We feel blessed that you have considered us and that you have been so generous in preparing these packages filled with food items. I know that our parents are extremely grateful, as am I, because I know it will go a very long way to help our underserved students and their families,” she said.

The Massy Stores Volunteer Programme is a strategic initiative aligned with the company values of “love and care, responsibility and collaboration,” and its mission to “care about communities and the environment.”