As part of ongoing efforts to combat student hunger, key stakeholders from UTech, Jamaica, JMMB and the Grace Kennedy Foundation gathered for the official handover ceremony of support to the Campus Connect Food Bank at the University of Technology, Jamaica’s Papine campus on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Pictured from left are Mrs. Celia Alleyne Ebanks, Programmes Manager, JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, Mrs. Kim Mair, CEO, JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica, Dr. Garcia Green-McLennon, Chief Technical Officer of Special Projects in the Office of the President, Mrs. Caroline Mahfood, CEO, GraceKennedy Foundation and Mr. Sujae Boswell, Programme Manager, Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation.
The University of Technology, Jamaica, has partnered with the JMMB Foundation for the second time to support 250 students through the GraceKennedy (GK) Foundation’s Campus Connect Food Bank, aimed at combating student hunger. JMMB has been a long-standing supporter of the food bank and has donated J$2 million over the past two years. The handover ceremony took place on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at UTech, Jamaica’s Papine campus.
Established in 2019 by the GraceKennedy Foundation, the Campus Connect Food Bank provides monthly food packages to students at the University of Technology, Jamaica, the University of the West Indies, Mona, and the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts in an effort to combat student hunger and food insecurity.
Dr. Kevin Brown, President of UTech, Jamaica, highlighted the critical role the food bank plays in supporting students. He acknowledged that, while the food bank currently supports 250 students monthly, the university welcomes over 3,000 new students each year, leaving many still vulnerable to food insecurity. For the students, “giving up is not an option,” said Dr. Brown, emphasizing that the Food Bank has been “very impactful,” and urged corporate partners to help expand the programme to reach more students.
Dr. Brown also drew attention to the issue of student homelessness on campus, revealing that “some students are sleeping rough.” He shared that plans are underway, in partnership with the government, to build 1,000 new beds to provide affordable student accommodation, but stressed that homelessness remains a pressing concern until those plans come to fruition.
He called on corporate partners and UTech, Jamaica alumni to support the Food Bank and other student welfare initiatives, emphasizing that their involvement is crucial to sustaining and expanding these vital services. “I hope that you will not only expand your support going forward, but also inspire other stakeholders to join in,” he said.
Mrs. Caroline Mahfood, CEO of the GraceKennedy Foundation, echoed the importance of the food bank, noting, “It makes a significant difference, and the reality is a university student has to find tuition, transportation, boarding and after that food is at the bottom of that list. It becomes very challenging.”
She also acknowledged the resilience of students who have overcome hunger to achieve their goals. “Many of the people who are in the workforce today pushed through but faced severe hunger, but they had the tenacity to push and somehow get through,” she said.
Mrs. Kim Mair, CEO of the JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, reflected on the determination of students pursuing tertiary education despite significant challenges. “The stories are tremendous and the tenacity of the students of all ages is amazing,” she noted, adding, “It is inspirational that they actually finish.”
Mrs. Mair also highlighted the connection between proper nutrition and overall health, noting, “we’re finding that our gut health, which is tied back to nutrition, impacts so many of the other illnesses that we have, so if we’re not feeding ourselves properly then we have the amplification of everything else.”
With continued support from the private sector, alumni, and other stakeholders, the Campus Connect Food Bank is positioned to reach even more students in need.
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Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: (876) 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm
