As the Cayman economy continues to feel the pressure as more and more people lose their jobs and incomes, charities and organisations are being relied upon more than ever to.
For those in the fortunate position to help others, we have pulled together a list of requests from local charities who will be helping families over the Christmas period.
For those who need the help of these charities please call one of the numbers below. Please note that these charities are not just providing help to Caymanians and those with Permanent Residency. If you are in need, regardless of your nationality, please get in touch with them.
Acts of Random Kindness (ARK)
ARK provides ARK Relief Care Packages to Caymanians and foreign workers who are suffering from the severe economic hardship of Covid-19, and Cayman’s continued border closure. The packages includes utility (power and water) vouchers and Foster’s gift cards. They can also assisting with housing.
Ark’s Christmas initiative, 'Kindness Connects Us' will encompass the Relief Care Packages with the addition of gift certificates to Cost-u-less/other retail stores and restaurants so families can purchase gifts for their children and enjoy a meal at a restaurant/take out.
For more information email info@arkcayman.com. You can also visit the ARK website.
For those who can donate:
For those would can help ARK support families who are struggling to find enough money to feed themselves and their families here is how you can help: 1) You can donate online to ARK. 2) Transfer money into their Butterfield account.
ARK Butterfield account details:
Account # 01201039292 (USD)
Account # 02201039292 (KYD)
Blessed
Blessed was set up during lockdown by Lisha and Tom Watling, owners of Cayman Kayaks, to help struggling families. They provide items such as clothing, shoes and equipment such as strollers, beds and more. Once the donations are received, Lisha and her team of volunteers pack individual bags tailored to the family’s needs which are then delivered to their door.
For those who can donate:
Donations of gently used clothing and shoes for babies, children, teens men and women are required. With Christmas around the corner they want to assist with items we so easily taken for granted such as underwear, socks, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, deodorant, feminine products and toilet paper.
Please contact Blessed via their Facebook page or WhatsApp: (345) 925 9867 for the warehouse drop off information.
For those that need help:
Blessed is ready and waiting to help, for free. If you are in need of clothing for babies, children, teens and adults contact Blessed via their Facebook page or WhatsApp: (345) 925 9867.
Financial Donations:
Blessed is also in need of financial donations to help pay for operating costs such as insurance, petrol, licenses, etc. If you are able to contribute financially please contact Lisha on (345) 925 9867.
Camana Bay Christmas Give
An annual charitable holiday initiative that benefits non-profit organisations through monetary and in-kind donations. This year proceeds and donations from the Christmas Give will be given to the Cayman Food Bank in recognition of the increased reliance on the Food Bank during the pandemic. In 2020 the Cayman Food Bank operations increased from assisting 400 families per month to 3,200 families per month. Additionally, they were delivering 100 to 200 hot meals per day in response to the crisis. They are now consistently helping around 1,000 families per month. The work that the Cayman Food Bank does in helping bring food to the tables of families in need during the holidays helps ensure a joyful Christmas for all.
Visit the Camana Bay Visitor Centre from 23rd November and throughout the month of December to leave your non-perishable food donations under the Christmas tree. While you’re there, collect a reverse advent calendar for suggestions on other food items to donate.
Cayman Food Bank
In 2020 the Cayman Food Bank operations increased from assisting 400 families per month to 3,200 families per month. Additionally, they were delivering 100 to 200 hot meals per day in response to the crisis. They are now consistently helping around 1,000 families per month.
For those that need help:
If you are an individual, or family seeking assistance accessing food - or a non-profit social service organisation seeking to assist your beneficiaries obtain food or other resources, please complete the Enquiry Form on the Food Bank’s website to obtain additional information about their services and assistance programs
For those who can donate:
The Cayman Food Bank urgently needs supplies and donations. Please see the list below. They are accepting donations at their warehouse which is located in the Rosedale Warehouses which is opposite Progressive Distributors in the Industrial Park. The address is: 51 Sleepy Hollow Road, Rosedale Warehouses, Unit 11, off Sparky's Drive, Industrial Park. Contact Phillip Hyre on (345) 926 6111or email Phillip@caymanfoodbank.com.
You can also donate money to their fund with which they buy supplies to make and distribute each day plus they buy groceries in bulk for those who need it. Cayman National Bank: KYD account # 011-15055 “The Good Samaritan Food Bank”.
Suggested Shopping List
- Gift certificate/Voucher
- Rice Dry or Canned Beans
- Pasta & Pasta Sauce
- Baby Formula/Baby Food
- Canned Veggies, Stews, Chili, Soups
- Stuffing Mix/Cake Mix
- Apple sauce
- Canned Meats (Chicken, Tuna, etc)
- Cooking Oils (Olive, canola, etc)
- Crackers
- Herbs & Spices
- Canned or Dried Fruit
- Granola Bars/Snack Packs
- Instant Potatoes
- Meals in a Box
- Powdered Milk
- Nuts
- Peanut Butter
- Cereals
- Juices
- Teas/coffee
- Instant noodles
- Tinned Spaghetti/Pastas
- Toiletries (deodorant, soaps)
- Holiday treats
Meals on Wheels (MOW)
For those in need of help:
Cayman Islands Meals on Wheels (MOW) provides free, hot, nutritious meals to seniors, the homebound, the infirm, and the disabled throughout Grand Cayman, Monday to Friday, 52 weeks of the year. This service supplies clients with the assistance needed to retain their self-worth and independence while they remain in their homes. Isolation is a major issue for many seniors, the social contact and smiles provided by the 150+ volunteers at MOW offers some relief for these individuals.
If you are in need, or have an elderly person you know who is in need at this time then please call Jennifer West on (345) 769 1974 or (345) 546 8886 or email: info@mealsonwheels.ky for a referral application to complete. An application must be completed to begin the assessment process, to collect specific dietary needs and other health conditions so that each meal can specifically be catered to each individual day and delivered accordingly.
For those who can donate:
The Meals on Wheels "Community Food Drive" allows for the public to donate unopened non-perishable items, designated containers are located at BuySmart, Galleria Plaza from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 9pm. Preferred Items include:
- Oatmeal
- Beans
- Rice
- Water
- Apple juice
- Tuna
- Low sugar Fruit Cups
- Pasta
- Canned Corn
- Corn Flakes
- Peanuts
- Evaporated Milk
- Brown Sugar/Stevia
- Mint Tea
- Instant Coffee
- Soups
- Water Crackers
- Ensure/Protein Shakes
- Vienna Sausages
- Corned Beef
- Long Life Milk (2% or Whole)
- Moist Towelettes
- Macaroni 'n Cheese
- Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, depends, bed pads)
Financial contributions can be made online through direct deposit at Butterfield to Meals on Wheels, KYD checking account #136-160-977-0021 or online at www.pledgeasenior.com In 2019 Meals on Wheels cooked and delivered over 50,000 meals, in 2020 that number has more than doubled, this is only possible through community support!
You can also visit their website www.mealsonwheels.ky to learn more, volunteer, or to donate.
Resilience Cayman (Managed by the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce)
In an effort It help those who are in desperate need during the Covid-19 crisis where many have lost their jobs and finding enough food to feed themselves and their children is a grave and real concern, the Chamber of Commerce, with the help of their members from the business community, have set up Resilience Cayman. Its mission is to build food security and a sustainable future where all residents of the Cayman Islands are able to contribute to the development of a thriving community even in the midst of crisis. They are in agreement that it will take each resident and organization in the Cayman Islands to step up and work with each other to solve the most critical challenges of meeting everyone’s basic needs for food, shelter, healthcare and jobs.
In their first few weeks of being formed Resilience Cayman says that they received over 6,000 requests for assistance. So far over 1,000 people have been approved for food support.
For those who need help please email info@resilience.ky
For those who can donate click here. To volunteer to click here.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Cayman Islands (BBBS)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cayman Islands (‘BBBS’), is a non-profit organisation. Their goal is to help young people ages six years to sixteen years who face adversity and those who have little opportunity to develop positive relationships with adults to reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with volunteer mentors. While working with the youth/children in the family, they take a holistic approach to the family and provide support as necessary.
Currently, as of May 2020, they have thirty (30) children/youth who are matched with mentors “(Bigs”) and twenty (20) children “Wait Listed.” (not yet matched) Since COVID-19 pandemic, more than 85% of their parents (one or both parents) have become unemployed and are in need of assistance with food, clothing, and school supplies. While they are encouraging individuals to apply to NAU, it is proving that this Department is overwhelmed with applications.
For those who can help:
If you can help in any way at all then please call Angela Sealey, the BBBS Programme Director, on (345) 923 2471 or (345) 325 9661 or email her on startsomething@bbbs.ky. They currently need the following: food vouchers, food supplies, dinner delivered to a family as an incentive to the Littles for their efforts, clothing for children (ages 6-16 years), books, toys, board games, electronic games or IT equipment. Monitory donations would also be much appreciated to ensure that BBBS are in a position to provide the much-needed mentoring service to children in our community. They are not stopping what we do, but finding new ways to deliver what they do best.
Cayman Islands Red Cross (CIRC)
Interested in volunteering for the COVID19 national response? The CIRC is putting together a national database of volunteers to help determine their capacity to assist. Fill in this form and you'll start receiving notifications about how to get involved.
Kiwanis Club of Grand Cayman
The Kiwanis Club is a community service club with a focus on children. Their largest project is the Buy a Kid Breakfast Program where they provide breakfast for hungry children at eight primary schools. They also support 5 Key Clubs and 1 Circle K Club on island which are student led organizations. Once a year they host a weekend long leadership retreat called Key Leader for students age 14-18 as well as Santa Landing which is an annual family fun day with free food, drinks and games and Santa gives out free gifts to children. They also have a mobile library where they assist children with reading and allow them to check out books to take home.
If you’d like to support this initiative, please feel free to transfer funds to the Kiwanis’ CNB checking account # 011-14262, name: Kiwanis Club of Grand Cayman.
For more information on this and other programs visit their website, call (345) 916 8664 or email info@kiwanis.ky.
Breast Cancer Foundation
The Breast Cancer Foundation asks that if you know anyone who is going through any cancer at the moment, that you call or message them to see if there is a way you can help. Please be mindful that both patients and their families must be super careful about germs as the patient’s immune system is totally compromised.
Anyone worried about breast cancer, signs, symptoms or has been diagnosed and needs help and advice they should contact the Breast Cancer Foundation on (345) 936 1135, (345) 938 1135 or (345) 923 1135, or visit the office located at number 19 in Grand Harbour and they will do what they can to help them.
Cayman Islands Blood Bank
The Cayman Islands Blood Bank is open, taking blood donations and are fully operational at the Cayman Islands Hospital. COVID-19 is not a blood borne illness so it is completely safe to donate blood. It is times like these that people in the community may need your help and your donation can save up to three lives. Contact the Blood Bank for instructions on how to gain access to the hospital.
Cayman Islands Humane Society
The Humane Society encourages residents to consider fostering an adult dog or adult cat. Unfortunately many people are having to suddenly leave the Island due to their economic circumstances and as a result needing to leave their pet with the Humane Society. This sadly means there has been an increase in the number of animals at the shelter. Fostering also gives the Humane Society an insight on how the animal behaves in a home environment, which helps promote them to potential adopters. The Humane Society is also always in need of donations which are vital to the survival of the shelter.
Radio Head
Lead by Dympna Carten, a Community Psychiatric Nurse for the HSA, Radio Head recognises the crucial role radio plays in our community, from assisting as a therapeutic intervention for those who are alone, bored and suffering mentally or physically, to educating and informing people during times of national emergency. Unfortunately radio is not a luxury everyone can afford and so Radio Head bridges this gap by providing radios to Cayman's most vulnerable, the elderly and those with chronic mental health conditions.
To donate a radio to Radio Head, please contact Dympna directly at dympnacarten@hotmail.com or (345) 916 3734.
N.C.V.O.
The NCVO is urgently asking community members to make a donation through their website or provide donations of food. People are welcome to deliver healthy snacks for children under 5 (to help feed 55 students), or provide sealed ingredients for meals for the children’s group home (12 young residents). Please call (345) 525 2797 or email ncvo@ncvo.org.ky for details on where to deliver the food.
The NCVO oversees several programmes including two preschools and a care home for young adults.
The Nadine Andreas Residential Centre is a group home for nine children in need of care and protection. The centre needs staff work overtime to provide coverage while the children are not in school. In addition to the increased staffing cost, more meals, more cleaning support, and the tutoring sessions that will be needed will increase the operating cost of the home for the next 60+ days.
One Dog at A Time (ODAAT)
To support ODAAT please make an online donation into their Bank of Butterfield checking account 1361674940011 or make a donation via the phone into the ODAAT account at The Vet Clinic at Countryside on (345) 945 1242. They are also most grateful for donations of dog food, pee pads, heartgard and other dog supplies. Email onedogatatimeky@gmail.com for details on where the dog food can be dropped off. ODAAT is always looking for foster homes for their dogs.