GraceKennedy (GK) Group CEO Don Wehby has been announced as the first patron of the GK Campus Connect Food Bank. The announcement was made at a special event at the University of Technology’s Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, yesterday. In his new capacity, Wehby will play an active role in encouraging individuals and organisations to support the Food Bank and by extension, the students it serves.

Commenting on his new appointment, Wehby said, “When you hear the stories of hardship that our students face and see the challenges that many have to grapple with, you realize the far-reaching impact the Food Bank has. I am pleased to see the difference GK’s contribution makes not only to the students, but also to their families. The Food Bank is a valuable lifeline for those it serves, and I am proud to be playing a more integral role in the commendable work our GK Foundation team is doing. Our GK Campus Connect Food Bank represents a significant investment by GK in youth development, our schools, national development, and Jamaica’s future.”

GraceKennedy Group CEO Don Wehby, speaks at the announcement of the GK Campus Connect Food Bank’s first Patron, held at the University of Technology (UTech) on April 3. UTech is one of the three universities whose students are benefitting from the Food Bank, which seeks to provide food packages for students in need.

The GK Campus Connect Food Bank, was established in 2019 by the GraceKennedy Foundation (GKF). Each month the Food Bank provides food packages for Jamaican tertiary students in need who are enrolled at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, University of Technology (UTech), and the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA). Over its lifetime, the Food Bank has provided over 3500 food packages which typically consist of non-perishable food items, fruit and laundry detergent.

Acting President of the University of Technology (UTech), Professor Colin Gyles (right) and GraceKennedy Group CEO Don Wehby (left), inspect one of the food packages at the GK Campus Connect Food Bank at UTech. Looking on are CEO of the GraceKennedy Foundation, Caroline Mahfood (background), and CEO of GK Foods-Domestic, Frank James.

CEO of GKF, Caroline Mahfood, explained, “The food insecurity experienced by many Jamaican university students is not just a matter of hunger, it’s also a matter of basic human dignity. No student should have to choose between buying textbooks and their health and well-being. Providing those in need with groceries means that these students have one less thing to worry about, so that they can better focus on their studies. We are happy to collaborate with our Food Bank partners to ensure that this happens each month.”

The GK Campus Connect Food Bank is also supported by several other corporate donors including, Restaurant Associates of Jamaica, JP Tropical Foods, Proven Investments, Derrimon Trading, Roots Strong, and New GPC Inc.

GraceKennedy Group CEO Don Wehby (2nd right), and CEO of the GraceKennedy Foundation, Caroline Mahfood (left) interact with Claudine Mendez (2nd left) and Norval Mendez (right), whose Hands Across the Hall Project at the University of the West Indies (UWI), inspired the GK Campus Connect Food Bank. The quartet were in attendance at the announcement of the GK Campus Connect Food Bank’s first Patron held at UTech on April 3.

 

Donrick Dixon, final year student at the University of the West Indies (UWI), speaks about his experience as a beneficiary of the GK Campus Connect Food Bank, at the announcement of the Food Bank’s first Patron, held at the University of Technology (UTech) on April 3.