In March of this year, the COVID-19 pandemic crushed Ambergris Caye’s tourism economy, causing thousands to lose their jobs and livelihoods. The ongoing pandemic led to a wave of unity from businesses and donors, which gave birth to a variety of programs, including a food program manned by island chef Maresha Reid. After delivering thousands of warm meals three times per week to those most vulnerable, Reid continues with the program, but needs more donations to keep it going. The program has adopted a different approach and is now feeding daily lunch to several people.
With the funds acquired via a GoFundMe account (https://bit.ly/3mt9nYv) around 70 persons are being provided with lunch each day.
According to Reid, any amount of donations helps to continue feeding those who struggle to help themselves, at least until the country opens back to tourism. She indicated that for $84 US or $168 BZ, a donor could guarantee someone meals every day for two weeks. Donors can even make donations and indicate if they want the daily lunch to go to a specific person known to them. Currently, funding/assistance has been secured for 70 persons, but to go into another round of feeding, the program requires more finances. At press time, only sponsorship for 20 individuals is needed to cover the 70 current beneficiaries.
This food assistance is not only limited to 70 persons; if more donations are made, then the number can increase. Many of the beneficiaries thank the program and Reid for the fresh and healthy meals delivered to them every day.
Chef Reid is the proprietor of Pirate’s Treasure Restaurant, a fire-hearth style eatery that many know and frequent.  She also owns Pirate’s Not-So-Secret Beach Bar, one of the island’s main attractions at Secret Beach on northern Ambergris Caye.
Reid thanks all those who trust and continue supporting this initiative to help those in need. She takes this opportunity to acknowledge those who are considered local heroes as they pledge to secure food for families in need on the island.
