Commonwealth of Virginia Announces Donation of Nearly 15,000 Emergency Meals to Support Jamaica Recovery Efforts
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Jan. 7, 2026) – The Commonwealth of Virginia, in coordination with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), announced this week the donation of 26 pallets of prepackaged, low-sodium emergency meals (MREs) to Food For The Poor (FFTP) to support ongoing recovery efforts in Jamaica following recent storm impacts.
The donation — totaling 14,976 shelf-stable meals — is being distributed in partnership with FFTP, which will work with local organizations and community-based partners, including Mustard Seed Communities, to ensure assistance reaches areas with the greatest need. Mustard Seed Communities is a Jamaica-based nonprofit that provides care, housing, and support services to children and adults with disabilities and other vulnerable populations.
This contribution will provide immediate food assistance to thousands of individuals, helping stabilize households and community-based care facilities during Jamaica’s ongoing recovery.
“This effort reflects the Commonwealth of Virginia’s commitment to responsible global citizenship and humanitarian cooperation,” said Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. “By working with experienced partners, we are able to deliver timely support to communities facing extraordinary challenges.”
“Virginia is proud to stand with our neighbors in Jamaica during this challenging time,” said Virginia Department of Emergency Management Acting State Coordinator John Scrivani. “By providing these emergency meals, we hope to ease the burden on communities still recovering from recent storms. Partnerships like this, with organizations such as Food For The Poor and Mustard Seed Communities, are essential to ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most.”
The initiative was coordinated by Vanessa Butler Andrew, Principal and Strategic Advisor, and a Jamaica Diaspora Northeast USA representative, who facilitated collaboration among state partners, humanitarian organizations, and logistics teams to mobilize the donation.
FFTP will oversee receipt, customs clearance, and distribution of the meals through its established operations in Jamaica, working in coordination with local authorities and community organizations. This donation is part of broader efforts by the Commonwealth of Virginia to support disaster response, recovery, and resilience initiatives through strategic public-private partnerships.
“When disasters strike, speed, coordination, and trusted partnerships make all the difference,” said FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine. “We are deeply grateful to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for this generous donation of emergency meals. Through our long-standing presence in Jamaica and our partnership with Mustard Seed Communities, these meals will reach vulnerable families and care facilities quickly, providing stability and hope as communities continue their recovery.”
About Food For The Poor
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the United States, is committed to facilitating paths out of poverty and transforming lives. As an interdenominational Christian ministry, we help families across Latin America and the Caribbean. Our efforts span urgent humanitarian relief and long-term development – from emergency aid and hunger alleviation to education, housing, and economic empowerment. We follow a distinctive approach that integrates faith, multi-sector strategies, and trusted partnerships. Whenever possible, we strive to work at the community level, partnering with local leaders and residents to co-create sustainable solutions that address the multi-dimensional nature of poverty. For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org.
Michael Turnbell
Communications
954-471-0928
[email protected]
Vanessa Butler Andrew
Principal and Strategic Advisor
571-534-7466
[email protected]
