By Sue-Ann Wayow
A TRUE “Trini Christmas” will not be celebrated by many this year given the economic situation they face.
This is according to Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West Dinesh Rambally who said on Monday the middle and lower class in society will have to do without the Christmas staples of pastelles, macaroni pie, baked chicken, ham and other delicacies as families will be focused mainly on providing the basic items on their kitchen tables.
Rambally was at the time engaged in a Christmas hamper distribution drive at his Chaguanas West constituency office on Monroe Road, Cunupia.
The food hampers also included poultry.
Rambally said many families were being hard-pressed to provide their families with the usual Christmas fare, and will now have to be content with “rice and dhal” or some similar legume or grain during the holidays.
The MP’s office in a release stated that approximately 400 constituents turned up to receive hampers.
Children were also given back to school supplies including book bags (for boys and girls), belts, toothbrushes, and snack packs.
Many were also screened for and collected food cards which will supplement their pantry in the upcoming Christmas holidays which is sure to brighten the bleak prospect they faced, the release stated.
Rambally also called on the Government to reinstate the policy instituted by former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar which removed Value Added Tax (VAT) on many basic food items.
He said he will not be surprised should there be a spike in the incidents of shoplifting and acts of desperation by those in need who see no other avenue to provide for their families.
Rambally said he was doing his part to relieve the plight of his constituents and was appreciative of all those who assisted in the efforts.
Demand for food is great
Member of Parliament for Chaguanas East Vandana Mohit shared similar sentiments.
She told AZP News, “The demand for food is great this year.”
Mohit said she began her food card distribution on Monday and will continue on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Social Development had issued 200 food cards to all MPs to distribute in their constituencies.
Mohit will also be distributing 50 hampers to those in need as well as 4000 goodie bags for children, an increase from last year’s 3000.
She begins her toy drive on Tuesday evening at 6 pm and will continue until Christmas Eve at 12 midnight.
Mohit said this year, she was attempting to go into every community in her constituency and was “catering for a joyous season.”
