PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation continued to assist elderly members of the community with its most recent donation of 25 food packages to 25 pensioners residing in the Red Cross Building in Belvedere.
The donation was made on Saturday, August 28, by 11 volunteers and was part of the monthly food assistance that the foundation provides to the seniors. Each food package contained brown rice, flour, oil, baking powder, dry peas, jam, peanut butter, toilet paper, Clorox, and Club Social biscuits.
The visits to the seniors began in June 2020 and have continued on a monthly basis since.
In addition to providing the seniors with food packages, Tzu Chi also encourages the seniors to engage in recycling activities and engage in mild activities which can aid in them being physically active. Tzu Chi also interacts with the seniors via sign language.
A grateful recipient Michel Steven said he appreciates Tzu Chi’s efforts.
Another recipient 91-year-old Elise Bryan, who referred to Tzu Chi as “fabulous,” said the foundation delivers food for them in containers individually labeled with their names, and delivers food items monthly with no hassle or run around. “They come to us. You don’t have to worry about going all over the place. They come to us and do what they have to do. It is so nice and I appreciate it very much,” she said.
The experience was a good one for volunteers. One volunteer said the manner in which the St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation continues to touch lives in a meaningful and valuable way gives her a great feeling. She extended thanks to Tzu Chi Founder Master Cheng Yen for her love and kindness that reaches all the way to St. Maarten.
Tzu Chi St. Maarten Commissioner Sandra Cheung thanked everyone involved in the initiative and recipients for graciously accepting the donations and for following the recommended practices.
