The Barbados Vocational Training Board, (BVTB) has fulfilled its promise of a follow-up donation of food items to the HIV Food Bank. Director of Training, Mr. Henderson Thompson and Senior Clerk, Ms. Jennifer Walker, also the BVTB’s HIV Education Coordinator, handed over the food items at the Board’s Culloden Road headquarters to the Manager of the HIV Food Bank, Ms. Stacia Whittaker. Ms. Whittaker described the HIV Food Bank as a vital link between the society and individuals coping with HIV.

Ms. Whittaker also had high praises for the efforts and noted, “It is commendable that the NVTB continues to support the HIV Food Bank. I am particularly pleased that this does not seem to be a seasonal thing, but they are serious about helping with education to lessen the impact of the stigma associated with HIV. With donations like these, the BVTB helps both families and individuals coping with the disease.”

The items were all collected during the four weeks following the first donation made on November 25th at the HIV Food fair which was held at the C. Lomer Alleyne Centre at Sayes Court. At that HIV Fair, the Director of Training, Henderson Thompson had issued the challenge to staff and students to donate additional items for the HIV Food Bank. Mr. Thompson was pleased with the response of BVTB team to the second call for donations, the team responded by donating dry goods and money to buy food items.

The partnership between the BVTB and the Barbados HIV Food Bank was further strengthened with the announcement by the Director of a dedicated donation drive for 2012. He said, “The BVTB will adopt the HIV Food Bank, and staff and students will be encouraged to make donations at intervals throughout the year.”