While government considers the recommendation to raise Cayman’s minimum wage to $8.75, organisations like Meals on Wheels are feeling the pressure of increasing demand for food support in the face of inflation and stagnant earnings.
Meals on Wheels general manager Jennifer West says the economic situation, coupled with a growing ageing population, is putting a strain on the local charity’s already limited finances.
“Unfortunately, what we’re seeing is we’re not just getting referrals for seniors, we’re also getting referrals for unemployed, underemployed, homeless young mothers that don’t have enough income to support them and their children,” West told the Cayman Compass Monday.
She said the charity provides meals to between 330 and 350 seniors, homebound and infirm clients, but the additional demand is exacerbating the strain on the non-profit.
“What that shows us is [with] the current cost of living, people are having to choose: Do we do have a roof over our head or do we purchase food to eat? And for most people because they’re aware of Meals on Wheels… they call us first, not realising that really our mandate and our focus is to help our seniors first,” she said.
Competing for sponsorship
She said with the number of charities on island, the sponsorship pool is shrinking, especially with everyone having to approach the same companies for support.
“We’re thankful for the organisations that host events for us, but it is more difficult to get funds as needed without spending a lot of time asking for those funds and following up. What we realised is that companies are also being asked by a lot of people,” she said.
West said the Cayman Islands community has a lot of money and if it were to be used to help others there would be no need for charities like Meals on Wheels; however, the reality remains that non-profits are needed.
The charity receives a grant from the government which she said covers about 10% to 15% of its food budget.
“We would love for the government grant to cover more, but we understand that government, just like the other companies, have numerous organisations asking for support… [which] means that they have to cut the pie in a lot more slices for organisations. As long as we all keep supporting each other, there definitely is enough money in this country for Meals on Wheels to thrive,” she said.
Perennial fundraiser Derek Haines is planning a trek in France to raise money to assist in the construction of a permanent home for the charity, according to West.
The land for the building was donated anonymously and the organisation is looking to start construction soon, she added.
“Meals on Wheels is quite nomadic. So even though we serve quite a large number of people every single day, we don’t actually have our own home… and this building will house our administrative offices, our food pantry, our kitchen, our volunteer pickup area,” she said, adding the charity has always depended on “borrowed space”.
West also noted that other fundraisers are in the cards to help with building a home for Meals on Wheels.
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