Hurricane Melissa Community Relief Initiative : #StrongerTogether

From Emergency Aid to Long-Term Healing & Wellness

When Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica, St. Ann was left in a terrible state. In a matter of hours, homes were washed away, crops destroyed, and roads cut off. Entire families lost everything. Weeks later, the devastation remains.

Many still live without electricity, clean water, or safe shelter. Mothers are struggling to feed their children. Elderly and disabled residents are isolated, waiting for help that hasn’t yet arrived. This is a humanitarian emergency.

How Our Community Is Helping Us Heal Jamaica

None of this would be possible without the incredible generosity of our sponsors, friends, and family — people who refuse to let our communities face this storm alone.

Their support is helping us reach the families of Chalky Hill, Davis Town, Hermitage, Cave Valley, Steer Town, Brown’s Town, and Stepney — communities that have lost homes, crops, income, and in many cases, their sense of stability.

And we’re not doing it alone.

Guidance counselors, community elders, pastors, teachers, and local leaders have opened their hearts and their networks to us, helping us identify the families who are suffering the most —

⭐ single parents

⭐ young children

⭐ nursing mothers

⭐ the elderly

⭐ the disabled

⭐ families who have lost their homes entirely

Because of this shared community effort, we’ve been able to provide:

🌱 Hot, plant-based healing meals each week

🎒 Emergency care packages and essentials

🍼 Support for infants and nursing mothers

🛠️ Relief support for families who lost their homes and belongings

Every donation — big or small — helps us show up consistently and compassionately for the people who need it the most.

Together, with your support and the guidance of community leaders on the ground, we will continue to help rebuilding hope in St. Ann 🇯🇲

Sign up to volunteer!
Donate to our GoFund Me!
DONATE ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Our Promise Emergency aid that grows into healing, nourishment, and long-term wellness.
Communities We Serve
  • Chalky Hill
  • Davis Town
  • Hermitage
  • Cave Valley
  • Steer Town
  • Brown’s Town
  • Stepney

Community allies

Relief partners fueling every delivery

A special thank you goes out to our partners who make this mission possible each week, and who lovingly come on board to help us bring comfort, nourishment, and relief to the communities that need it most.

Sunday Serve - Volunteer Schedule & Guidance

Sunday Serve Volunteer Schedule & Guidance

Track the full flow from Kingston departure to the closing gratitude circle so you can plan transport, packing shifts, and outreach roles ahead of Sunday.

8:00 AM

Volunteer Departure

Market Place, Kingston

First set of volunteers leave for Kamila's Kitchen - Drax Hall. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early for coordination and carpooling as needed.

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Sorting & Packing at Drax Hall

Activities include:

  • Sorting donations (food items, personal care, baby supplies, clothing).
  • Creating labeled care packages (elderly, mothers, children, family).
  • Boxing up 300+ warm meals.
  • Briefing on community locations and distribution guidelines with directions, maps, and contact numbers.

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Community Outreach

Volunteer Group A and Volunteer Group B head out to designated community centers.

4:00 PM onwards

Closing & Departure

Return to Kamila's Kitchen - Drax Hall for a quick gratitude circle and debrief.

Final departure once the circle wraps.

Note: Lunch will be provided for all volunteers. Please confirm your attendance so we can prepare enough meals.

Helpful Items for Volunteers to Bring

Helpful Items for Volunteers to Bring

Pack essentials that keep you hydrated, protected from the sun, and ready for long sorting or community visits. These items make the day smoother for you and the families we serve.

Essentials

  • Water bottle
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat or cap
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Small snack (nuts, fruit, granola bar)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Face towel

Optional but Helpful

  • Light rain jacket or poncho
  • Portable phone charger or power bank
  • Notebook and pen

Additional Reminders

  • Please wear comfortable, breathable clothing.
  • Hydrate frequently and check in with teammates.
  • Be mindful and respectful when interacting with families; if taking photos, avoid capturing faces.
  • Meals are designed to be healing and nourishing for families recovering from Hurricane Melissa.
  • Above all: move with compassion, patience, and presence.

Have a question about supplies? Let the coordination team know before Sunday so we can support you.

Here are the 3 ways we are coming together to help:

Community Wellness + Relief

From emergency aid to long-term healing

Here is how we are showing up for Chalky Hill, Davis Town, Hermitage, Cave Valley, Steer Town, Brown’s Town, and Stepney.

Healing Through Food

At Kamila’s Kitchen, we believe that food is medicine — and right now, medicine is exactly what our people need. Through our “Sunday Serve” Community Wellness + Relief Initiative, we are serving 300 warm, plant-based meals each week to those who have been most impacted.

We are focusing on ingredients that help the body recover from stress, exhaustion, and malnutrition:

  • Foods rich in magnesium, iron, B vitamins, and antioxidants
  • Adaptogenic herbs that calm the nervous system
  • Protein-rich legumes and grains to rebuild strength

Everyday Essentials & Care Packages

The crisis extends far beyond hunger. Families have lost basic living supplies: clothing, toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap, sanitary products, cleaning items, and school materials. In addition to providing hot meals each week to as many families as we can, we are also delivering care packages and essential goods directly to families in need.

Each package will contain:

  • Hygiene and household products
  • Nutrient-rich pantry staples
  • Baby and childcare items
  • Simple comforts to restore a sense of normalcy

This will allow us to give families a foundation to rebuild from. Our goal is to prepare 50 care packages each week customised to each person's needs.

Recovery

When the emergency phase eases, we’ll open Kamila’s Kitchen Drax Hall as a space for healing, recovery, and empowerment, with weekly programs including:

  • Stress management & emotional wellness workshops
  • Yoga, breathwork, and gentle movement sessions
  • Wellness talks with psychologists & community coaches
  • Cooking classes on affordable, nourishing, plant-based meals

Because true recovery is not just about rebuilding homes, providing food and everyday essentials. We also are committed to playing our part in rebuilding hope, health, and wholeness across every single one of these communities.

How You Can Help

We’re calling on our family and community in Jamaica and abroad to stand #StrongerTogether.

You can help by donating:

  • Food, water, and essential supplies
  • Ingredients for the hot meals
  • Financial contributions to expand meal and care package distribution
  • Building materials to help those who have lost everything
  • Volunteering time and resources at Kamila’s Kitchen Drax Hall
Sign up to volunteer!
Donate to our GoFund Me!