The Foundation for Our Community (FPNC) held its annual “Meal Package Event – Connect to Impact” event, which is organized twice a year. During the event, local businesses come together in a friendly environment and contribute to the preparation of food packages for those in need in our community.
Gianaika van der Biezen, Director of the Foundation for Our Community (FPNC), explained that this event is a collaboration of different companies and organizations, all contributing to the good cause of preparing food packages for FPNC clients.
Forty companies participated in the event, with each company bringing ten people. The representative noted that there were also volunteers present who participated on behalf of companies that couldn’t attend. These volunteers represented their respective companies during the “Meal Package Event” activity.
Van der Biezen emphasized that FPNC helps around 300 to 350 families each month by delivering food packages, all based on generous donations received.
The foundation operates as an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) and relies on donations in various forms: from companies, the community, event organizations, or any other means that can provide funding.
The Director of the foundation emphasized that, “Given the current difficult times for fundraising and donations, this event was organized.”
There are two goals during this annual event: “Team building” for the participating companies, but also to help contribute to the monthly food packages. The other goal is to “Give back to the community.” There are times when some companies have better financial situations than others, but everyone cooperates with their “grain of sand” for the noble cause of helping families in need.
Ruthline Theysen, Director of Human Resources at Aruba Marriott & Stellaris Casino, showed that the activity is organized by FPNC and Aruba Marriott cooperates with the foundation in various ways: sponsoring the entire ballroom, providing Food and Beverage (F&B), and contributing with three tables.
Theysen also mentioned that Aruba Marriott contributes to FPNC for various other initiatives in cooperation with the hotel’s Marriott Care Foundation, which financially supports community assistance events. The hotel executive explained that Aruba Marriott has been working with the foundation for over 10 years and is “very proud to help wholeheartedly, with every associate helping during their free time for events dedicated to a good cause.”
This is the second time The Marriott Aruba has participated in this specific event, but the hotel has worked with FPNC for many years, especially during the holiday season to collect baskets for families or other initiatives.
Gabriel Marchena works as a social worker at FPNC and is very pleased to be part of this event. He explained that they approached different local companies and were very happy with their participation, expressing gratitude to everyone who contributed to continue helping families in need. Marchena mentioned that the foundation helps around 300 to 350 families, providing them with nutritious food in the food packages delivered to each respective family.
The foundation’s social worker, dedicated to helping families in the Aruba community, showed that FPNC collaborates with “The Outreach Program” from the United States, which helps the foundation in Aruba by providing food in bulk for packaging during the “Meal Package Event.”
Any company wishing to participate in this event can contact the Foundation for Our Community to obtain all the necessary information.
