For the past 7 years, grassroots philanthropist Joel “Dara” Robinson has made a difference in the lives of underprivileged schoolchildren who suffer from the adverse effects of poverty and hunger in his neighborhood, and today he got some much appreciated assistance in the form of appliances and kitchen equipment from one of the country’s most prominent statutory institutions.
Since being inspired to initiate a feeding program which now caters to roughly 40 to 50 students on each school day, Robinson – a modest, well-known humanitarian – has independently maintained its continuation, while conducting fundraising exercises and asking for donations from time to time.
Today, though, the Social Security Board (SSB) came into the picture like a Good Samaritan, and Dara’s feeding program – which he has been operating out of his small home on Dunn Street in Belize City – got an encouraging boost with a donation of $5,000 worth of kitchen appliances in addition to a monthly commitment of $500 to assist him to buy groceries and materials to put food in the stomachs of the many children that depend on the program for a warm meal at lunchtime.
Shawn Stuart, administrator at the SSB, made the donation on their behalf to Dara at his home this morning. She stated, “Social Security has decided to contribute to this feeding program by donating $500 every month for the next 12 months, and also by donating $5,000 towards the appliances that they use in the house. At Social Security, we’re always assisting with various goodwill programs and we saw the need to contribute in this area. As you know, the children are our future and by assisting Dara, we are assisting the future of our country.”
In accepting the items, an appreciative Dara said, “The donation is a big help because we end[ed] up with a stove, a brand new refrigerator, microwave, cake mixer, crock pot, blender, etc. If you cook every day, eventually those things get worn out so it’s a blessing. The last time I bought those items was when I won the Unsung Heroes [award]. We are in it for 7 years [now] and I am grateful [for the donation].”
Of his own volition, Dara assumed the responsibility of feeding school children and he does it as if it is his life’s work exclusive of any salary.
One of the only earthly rewards he gets is normally the “thank you’s” of the children who benefit from the program, but Robinson remains undeterred and maintains that he does it from his heart, admitting that the donation will greatly assist with stabilizing the feeding program.
“$500 is like a jump for me because it will surely help. Sometimes we would find ourselves needing only meat, and so that money could go into buying the meat. Sometimes we find ourselves running out of gas, seasonings and those kinds of things. With this kind of work you never know, but with businesses and other people who donate, it really helps this program. Sometimes, this is a stressful thing for me especially if you don’t have the kind of support that you would really need so I am more than grateful. It’s donations like this that makes me feel more to do more.”
Dara explained that due to rising inflation and food prices over the years, his monthly budget – which once stood at around $700 – has swollen to over $1,300 and remarked that the $500 donation amounts to a quarter of the monthly cost of his feeding program.