One in twelve people is food-insecure.

“Food-insecurity” means that a household does not have access to enough safe, nutritious food for an active and healthy life. These households have reduced variety and quality of meals and may have irregular food intake.

Here are some other things to think about:

vOne in nine people in the Virgin Islands live in poverty.*

v The poverty income level for a family of four is $16,895 annually as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services.*

v One quarter of all VI households have incomes of no more than $10,000 a year.*

v 66% of all VI children under the age of 6 living in poverty live in households where one parent works. *

And:

v 49% of St. Croix children live in poverty.*

v 34% of St. Thomas children live in poverty.*

v The national U.S. average is %20.*

v45% of children in the Virgin Islands under the age of 5 are living in poverty.*

v 37% of households in the Virgin Islands with children under the age of 18 are food insecure. **

v One in six persons in CCVI soup kitchen lines is a child. **

*Source: 2000 Census statistics** Source: CCVI statistics

Recent research indicates that even mild malnutrition experienced by young children during critical periods of growth may lead to reductions in physical growth and affect brain development.
Source: The Links Between Nutrition and Cognitive Development of Children, 1998, Tufts University School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

The face of poverty and hunger in the Virgin Islands is getting younger and younger.

What we do to combat poverty, hunger and homelessness:

Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands has been at the forefront for over forty years in the mission to reduce poverty, support families, and empower communities. With our programs designed to reach as many of the Virgin Islands’ needy persons as possible, CCVI provides a wide spectrum of services to families, individuals adults, the homeless, those suffering with mental illnesses and the elderly.

The services include, but are not limited to, counseling, career guidance, referrals to other agencies, daily nutritional meals, case management, advocacy services, and emergency housing. Program sites are maintained on St. Thomas and St. Croix, with St. Thomas programs serving residents of St. John as well.

This includes:

Soup Kitchen/Family Education Program:

This program serves the needs of the growing population of residents at or below the poverty level, with a variety of wholesome lunchtime meals. Our locations are at: Hospital Line #7 in St. Thomas; St. John at the Lutheran Nazareth Church on Tuesdays, and Herbert Grigg Complex in St. Croix.

In the near future, there will be a food pantry so families and individuals can take home enough nutritious food to last them for at least a week. Donations from food drives such as canned goods would make this possible. Later on, we would also include fresh milk and other dairy products, baked goods, fresh meat, fresh and canned fruits and vegetables and other goods that we normally enjoy.

What you can do to help:

More than anything, our Soup Kitchens need a steady supply of canned goods and non perishable items to continue offering meals and care packages to people who, like many in St. Thomas, St. John, and especially St. Croix, live from paycheck to paycheck and too often do not know where their next meal is coming from. Be assured that your contribution will help to change lives. Your donation will help families and individuals eat healthier, and often.

Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands also accepts monetary donations. These contributions help provide hunger relief to more people in our community. For more information, call: 777-8518

FOOD LIST

The following is a list of the suggested items for a food drive collection. These items have been selected for the nutritional values they contain in order to best fulfill the needs of hungry people.

Nutrition is important when selecting food items to donate!

o Canned meats: tuna, chicken, ham, etc.

o Peanut butter, apple butter

o Pork & beans, baked beans

o Canned soups, canned stews and sauces

o Fruit juices (100% preferred)

o Beverages: coffee, tea, hot cocoa mix, instant breakfasts, soft drinks, powdered juice mix

o Canned vegetables: green beans, corn, carrots, peas, mixed vegetables, etc.

oCanned beans: pinto, kidney, lima, etc.

o Canned fruits: peaches, pears, mixed fruit (cocktail), pineapple, apricots, applesauce, etc.

o Condiments: jams, jellies, spreads, ketchup, mustard, relish, BBQ sauce, pickles, syrup

o Rice and rice mixes

o Pasta and pasta mixes

o Powdered milk, evaporated milk, powdered creamer

o Pancake/waffle mix

oBaking mixes: Bisquick, muffins, cakes, cookies

o Cooking oil

Non-Food Items Are Also Important to the People we Serve:

o Diapers, feminine hygiene products

o Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss

o Shampoo, conditioner, hair grooming products, hairbrush, comb

o Deodorant

o Bar soap, liquid hand soap

o Paper products: facial tissue, toilet paper, paper plates, paper towels, napkins, plastic utensils