The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

DUDLEY and Katie Seide, founders of Reach Out Youth Organisation (ROYO), received a generous donation from a local business in Freeport that has pledged its support to help them with their breakfast programme for underprivileged kids.

The Seides thanked Payless Snackables operator Gary Smith, who has agreed to make an ongoing donation for one year to ROYO.

"Today is a great day for our organisation," said Mr Seide, who commended the company for its ongoing support of the breakfast programme which caters to 80-100 children daily.

"They decided to partner along with us so we can continue to feed the less fortunate kids in our community and have also agreed to come on board to support our back to school giveaway on Saturday."

ROYO will hold its back to school giveaway at the Reach Out Community Centre on Banyon Lane from 11am to 2pm on Saturday.

Mr Seide was impressed that a new business is setting a good example by giving back to the community.

"I think it is a good gesture, and it means a lot to us because Mr Smith saw the need to assist us and now we will able to put food on the table for many kids before they go to school.

"It is a tremendous donation, and I want to thank them because they put their money where their mouth is coming to our aide. Some companies have been around for many years, and we are always out in the community asking for help, and for a new company to offer their support is exemplary," Mr Seide said.

He also noted that ROYO and Payless Snackables are discussing the idea of donating 25 cents of every dollar spent by customers to the organisation.

"What they are doing means a lot, and while we thank those US donors for their donations and support, it means a lot more to have Bahamian companies here support us too.

"I hope this trend continues and spur companies to give back in these difficult times," Mr Seide said.

Mr Smith said his company was motivated to make a donation to ROYO because of the good work the organisation is doing in the community.

"We see what they have been doing with the kids in the community, and we wanted to be a part of that and help them out," he said.

"I feel that businesses big or small need to give back to the community, especially to organisations that cater to children."