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A section of the large crowd at the Love, Poetry and Song fundraising event. (J. Hall/BGIS)??

There was standing room only at the Barbados Museum last Saturday evening, when more than 500 persons gathered for Love, Poetry & Song, a fundraising event organised by the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS).

This major show of support led to the collection of over $5,000 and five barrels of goods for the HIV Food Bank.

Manager of the Bank, Stacia Whittaker, expressed sincere thanks for the initiative that the BGIS took this year, with Love, Poetry and Song.?? "I was ecstatic with the response that we got Saturday night.?? Just to see the amount of food that came in tells me that we’re getting somewhere – people are getting more aware and they’re being more compassionate," she said.??

Ms. Whittaker pointed out that the food received would ensure that the Bank’s clients were well supplied for over a month.

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The re-stocked shelves of the HIV/AIDS Food Bank. (E. Jones/BGIS)

"We received a lot of food and I’m hoping it will take us through a month or two…We have enough that our hampers [for our clients] will be really good…this month coming," she remarked.

The Food Bank Manager also noted that the message of tolerance and awareness which was shared by the artistes went beyond the event, and revealed that both individuals and companies had called the Bank, indicating interest in the Adopt-A-Shelf programme.????????

"I think we have a lot of talented people out there…They are not only talented, but they use this medium to share their compassion for those with HIV," she stated.?? Ms. Whittaker also said that the message from many of the artistes was ???raw and real’, which she believed boosted the important message of awareness and tolerance.???? "Kudos to all those who performed, they did a great job," she added.

The performers who gave of their talents?? included Higher Level; Erika Alexei and Niki Nicole of Honey Jam Barbados; spoken word artistes Adrian Green, Daveny Ellis, Blake Broomes and DJ Simmons featuring Zinga; the group AzMan; and headliner NexCyx.

Ms. Whittaker’s assistant, Theresa Sealy, said she was overwhelmed by the positive response.

"I had to give a testimony on Sunday at church…to see what the Lord has done, that we can help others who are less fortunate.?? I am thanking the team that put it together," she said.

The members of the HIV Internal Committee of BGIS extend their sincere thanks to the patrons and artistes, and the staff volunteers, who all contributed to the success of Love, Poetry & Song.

nekaelia.hutchinson@barbados.gov.bb

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