Warrenville pharmacy offers free food bank for people in need

The community of Warrenville in central Trinidad has partnered with a pharmacy and a non-governmental organisation to carry out a food drive for people most in need.

Marc Tariq Ali, the owner and pharmacist of MTA Pharmacy, located on the corner of Old Southern Main Road and Munroe Road, has volunteered a space in his business to run the food drive.

The programme was introduced by NGO For the Love Reading TT and according to Ali the members of the community were the main drivers behind the project.

“The donation of non-perishable food items was provided by the community and those who know about the food drive anonymously. Those who need it can also access it anonymously.

“This initiative is really not spearheaded by the pharmacy or the NGO but rather the people who are generous to help others in need, especially at a time when many people are faced with challenges during the pandemic.”

Ali said that it in order to maintain control people have been restricted to three to five items. This was necessary, he said, to ensure that other people can benefit from the initiative.

The generosity extended was overwhelming, he said, and even people who benefit from the food drive also donate items when they can.

“We also offered cash donations but that became a problem because businesses and finances were tight for many and those who received money would use it for other things like the purchase of alcohol and not use it for its intended purpose.

“What is also amazing is that people from lower income households who would use the food shelf would also donate items when they can for others.”

Ali, who lives in the area, has also opened his business and the NGO to establish a bookshelf which also operates in the same manner.

Books can be taken free of charge and the bookshelf is replenished by donations. There are also musical instruments such as a piano and guitar set up for people who wished to engage their musical talents.

Ali said the programmes has been running for two years and was happy that he could offer a place to help his community.

“We hope to foster literacy and music literacy. Sometimes people would just come in and use the piano and guitar, and with the children it is a big hit. They actually beg their parent to come to the pharmacy for this purpose.

“Many people have musical inclined children but access to instruments would be an issue for them to explore their potential. It is also a good form of therapy, so I got a piano, fixed it and made it available for the public to use.”

Ali said the initiative was in keeping with the pharmacy’s tagline “books for the mind, medicine for the body and music for the soul.”

“It is also reflective of the Islamic quote “he who sleeps on a full stomach whilst his neighbour goes hungry is not one of us” and in keeping with the virtues of Ramadan in a highly populated Islamic community we are seeing the generosity overflow.

“This is not to say that other denominations are not donating. Folks in this community strongly believe and adhere to this regardless of their faith which is why I think the food bank is still alive to this day.”

Ali said anyone who wants to donate can call the pharmacy in advance at 229-0296 but they accept walk-in donations as well.