![Angela Dennis, US Entrepreneur and real estate investor, delivers keynote address during the annual Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (JAMU) World Food Day Celebration on October 22, 2024, held at the Andrews Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kingston. [Photo by Nigel Coke]](https://jmunion.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Dennis-500x375.jpeg)
US Entrepreneur and real estate investor Angela Dennis issued a passionate call to action, urging the Adventist Church in Jamaica to combat the escalating issue of food insecurity affecting a significant portion of the population.
Dennis challenged church and national leaders, stressing the urgency of the hunger crisis. “I challenge every person here, under the sound of my voice, to take action in combating food insecurity!” she stated.
She delivered her remarks during the annual Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (JAMU) World Food Day Celebration on October 22, 2024, held at the Andrews Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kingston. World Food Day was observed on Saturday, October 19, under the theme “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future, Leave No One Behind.”
Addressing government leaders, Dennis continued, “I challenge our elected officials, ministers, and other government leaders to join initiatives that will stamp out hunger and food insecurity in our beautiful island, Jamaica, LAND WE LOVE! It can be done!”
She specifically called on Jamaica’s local Adventist leadership to mobilize and engage their churches in initiatives to reduce hunger across the island.
Food insecurity remains a critical issue in Jamaica. Recent data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveals that between 2021 and 2023, 55.1% of Jamaicans—about 1.6 million people—experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, with approximately 26.6%, or 800,000 individuals, facing severe food insecurity. Additionally, 7.3% of Jamaicans, or 200,000 people, were undernourished, and 8.5% of children under five suffered from stunting due to inadequate nutrition.
In response to the mounting issue, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica established a Food Bank initiative in September 2021 to address the growing need. Approximately $50M has been distributed through its Conferences/Regions, including NCU and the Good Samaritan Inn.
“The Food Bank plays a significant role in addressing food insecurity for thousands of families across Jamaica,” said Pastor Adrian Cotterell, Coordinator of the Food Bank. “It recognizes the local and international challenges of food insecurity and seeks to address them and help reduce hunger and malnutrition, especially for those below the poverty line.”
JAMU President Pastor Everett Brown reminded attendees of the church’s responsibility to alleviate hunger, emphasizing that “we belong to one common human family, and when one of us is hungry, we all should feel obliged to respond to that need.” He called on the church to “leverage our resources” to join other Jamaicans and organizations working to feed the hungry.
As part of the celebration, over 3,200 meals and food packages were designated for distribution throughout the week, covering all parishes. This ongoing effort has been made possible by supporting partners Derrimon Trading Ltd. and the sacrificial contribution of individual church members.
Economic challenges and recent global disruptions have only worsened the situation, making the need for coordinated action all the more urgent.
“We look to strengthen our partnership with the community and seek more donors and partnerships locally and internationally to help us become a community-based food provider, Cotterell added.
