Whether you realize it or not, when you weigh your food options in Nassau and Freeport—grabbing a pizza from Domino’s or stopping by Fresh Market to pick up some groceries, for instance—you’re thinking of AML Foods Limited.
The parent company of Solomon’s, Solomon’s Fresh Market, Cost Right Wholesale Club, Domino’s and Carl’s Jr., is one of the most recognized brands in the country, and now it will be known as one of the most generous as well. For the next three years, AML Foods Limited has committed to donating a total of $100,000 to the Bahamas Feeding Network (BFN) in an effort to eliminate hunger.
“That equates to feeding hundreds of people in our country who can’t afford to feed themselves on a daily basis, much less over longer periods of time,” said BFN Executive Director Philip Smith. “The fact that we now have guaranteed contributions coming in from AML for the next few years means we, in turn, can keep our commitment to the people who rely on us for sustenance.”
According to figures released by the Department of Statistics in 2014, nearly 13% of the Bahamian population lives in poverty with almost 72% of that community living in New Providence. This means there are more than 43,000 citizens throughout the country—friends, neighbors and fellow churchgoers—who struggle to survive on about $11.64 a day.
“Hunger is a real problem in our society,” said Renea Bastian, Vice President of Marketing & Communications of AML. “By supporting BFN we are ensuring that more Bahamians have access to the foods they want and need. We envision a day when no individual has to wonder where his or her next meal will come from.”
In the nearly three years since BFN has been distributing food and funding to feeding centers in The Bahamas, the programme has donated more than $350,000 to its 110 partners with the aid of public and private contributions. So far for 2016, AML donations stand at $14,000. In another few weeks, the company will host another event that will provide an additional $10,000 to BFN.
“We are passionate about helping people live better,” Bastian said. “We consider it our responsibility to make a positive impact in the communities that support our brands through giving.”
The Bahamas National Feeding Network is a non-profit organisation launched in December 2013 that acts as a hub for distributing food to feeding centers throughout The Bahamas. For more information or to make a donation, please visit the BFN website www.bahamasfeedingnetwork.org
