Golden Krust invests $50,000 in school canteen repairs after Hurricane Melissa

Golden Krust is directing US$50,000 through its Feeding Futures initiative to repair school canteens left battered by Hurricane Melissa, as part of a wider push to restore normal operations for students islandwide.

Stephen Clark, the company's vice president of marketing, said executives agreed before the storm to mobilise support. Customers donated US$1, US$3, or US$5 at checkout alongside non-perishable giveaways at restaurants, raising roughly US$110,000 between late October and the end of December.

Phase one focused on farmers. In December, Golden Krust supplied equipment, pesticides, fungicides, and seedlings, working alongside growers to replant crops. The company also sent two containers of medical supplies to the Ministry of Health, valued at about US$300,000, which eventually cleared customs and landed.

The latest phase targets schools whose canteens or cafeterias were damaged. Working with the National Education Trust, Golden Krust identified seven institutions across six parishes: Rusea's High in Hanover, Crawford Primary in St. Elizabeth, Munro College, Westwood High, Port Maria Infant, and Providence Heights in Savanna-la-Mar. Staff travelled through 12 of Jamaica's 14 parishes during the rollout.

Clark said needs varied by site—some required ovens, others roofing. At several schools, rain still floods floors through damaged roofs, and staff prepare corned beef and tuna sandwiches because proper cooking facilities are not yet restored.

"We're looking forward to getting them back up and running so the kids can get some hot meals," Clark said, adding that students and staff showed strong resilience during the visits.

Golden Krust is coordinating with the National Education Trust, AFJ, Carita, and the Ministry of Education. Clark said the company will release ground footage from the Feeding Futures visits and will monitor contracts to ensure promised repairs are completed on schedule.

Education has long been central to the Hawthorne family's giving, including more than 300 scholarships through the Eframe Hawthorne Golden Cross Foundation.