TNN’s Trevor Lindsay stopped by the Eliza DoLittle Society feeding center located near the Warwick gas station on Middle Road, close to the P.H.C. football stadium, to speak with Executive Director Claire Mello-Robinson about the growing demand for food support across Bermuda.
As Bermuda continues to recover from the financial strain of the Christmas and winter season, Ms. Robinson said the nonprofit remains under pressure as more families struggle to afford groceries and basic necessities.
“We’re doing OK,” Robinson explained. “We recently moved to an every-other-week schedule. We were doing four times a month, but we changed the schedule to give us some time to save money and raise more money.”
The organization now provides grocery bags to households every other week while continuing its fundraising campaign through the end of the year. The adjustment, she said, is also helping the charity bring more people off its lengthy waiting list.
But despite the changes, the need remains overwhelming.
“Our wait list is never-ending,” Robinson said. “As soon as I call people off the wait list and create some space, the space is filled up again.”
According to Robinson, the charity is currently assisting between 300 and 371 households during each distribution cycle — representing nearly 1,800 individuals across the island.
“We have different household sizes,” she said. “Households of one and two make up our largest population, around 220 households. Then we have about 95 households with three and four people, and nearly 50 households ranging from five to 10 people.”
Robinson noted that many of the larger households include children, highlighting the growing impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on families.
“We serve families with children, but we also serve lots of households of one and two that are mainly adults,” she added.
With grocery prices continuing to rise in Bermuda, Robinson said the organization is helping families save anywhere between $150 and $300 a month, depending on household size.
“The value of one grocery bag for a household of one or two is probably about $35 to $50 in the store,” she explained. “But with the additional donated items people can choose from, it adds a lot more value.”
Robinson is encouraging Bermuda’s corporate community, small businesses, and residents to support the organization through financial donations, food drives, or volunteer efforts.
“We have a donate button on our website, and people can also organize food drives in their offices or communities,” she said. “All the items in this side of the pantry are donated, and they really help extend what families receive.”
The organization also partners with community groups and businesses for volunteer days and outreach support.
For more information or to donate, visit or website at ElizaDoLittleSociety.bm
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