Verdun House, Lions feed City’s homeless

The St. Michael Lions Club of Barbados, collaborated with Verdun House to provide a hot Sunday meal to some of the homeless people in Queen’s Park. 

 

At around one pm, representatives of Verdun House and Marina House along with 12 members of the Lions club gathered near the south side of the park to serve food and drink to the needy. President of the St. Michael Lions Club, Rosita Drakes told The Barbados Advocate that her club was participating in a Lions club International’s initiative, “Relieving the Hunger”, which will be done during January 8 to September 15. She explained that Verdun House was interested in giving back to the community and asked the club to join them. 

 

“There are always homeless persons in the park. We have been here last year to do a breakfast, and the Lions Club of Bridgetown, every end of the month, they go out feeding the homeless. So one of the gentlemen came and told them that we would be coming this morning,” said Drakes. 

 

In the past, there were approximately 85 persons who received food and on Sunday, Verdun House which provided the hot meals, catered for 100 people. The event was the brainchild of Lion, Pearl Bradshaw and Letitia Wiltshire of Verdun House. 

 

As January is Drug Awareness month, Organiser and representative of Verdun House Letitia Wiltshire said that feeding the homeless is part of their drug awareness month of activities and that they are seeking to have the event annually. As a charity, Wiltshire said that the organisation constantly received aid, however, Verdun House wanted to give back to the community.

 

“This is the first one, so we will see what happens from here and go into different parts of the community. This is not only about feeding, we are also trying to educate the public about Marina House and Verdun House so that they know there is a place that their family members can visit if they need treatment,” said Wiltshire.