As part of efforts to ease the burden on its staff members during this COVID-19 period, the Castries Constituency Council has partnered with the Saint Lucia Red Cross to donate food parcels to them.

The distribution of the food parcels commenced last week. So far over 160 employees have benefitted from the initiative.

Each food parcel contained basic items including rice, oats, tuna fish, corn meal, sugar, flour, salted biscuits and milk.

Mayor Peterson D. Francis said given the current trend and hardship posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he was motivated to assist.

“The current situation is a bitter pill to swallow, given the challenges financially and otherwise which presented themselves. We have always tried to not only develop staff members and their capacity, but also cater to their needs and reward them when necessary. The plan is to add a little to cushion the impact that COVID-19 is having on them and their families. By providing them with food parcels it would offer relief through this difficult patch,” said Mayor Francis.

CEO of the Castries Constituency Council, Mr. Wilfred Pierre, said despite navigating through rugged roads, the council has done an extraordinary job and by means of the latest food distribution to staff members, has shown great commitment to its human resource.

Mr. Pierre said the partnership during this time with the St. Lucia Red Cross contributes to a greater good.

“We thought it was ideal that we connected with them to assist in bringing some level of relief to our team members. It certainly helped and we greatly appreciate it.”

The Castries Constituency Council is also embarking on a few more initiatives with other organizations which will bring some level of relief to staff members.