The Tribune

NINE years and tens of thousands of meals distributed after its launch, the Bahamas Feeding Network announced a change in leadership this week.

Reverend Lester Ferguson, pictured, has been appointed its new executive director. He is one of founding directors of the non-profit organisation and he replaces Philip Smith, who served in that post since the organisation was formed in 2013.

Mr Smith resigned to accept a position at a new NGO, but will remain on the board of directors of BFN.

The announcement of the change came from BFN chairman Felix Stubbs.

“The Bahamas Feeding Network thanks Philip Smith for his years of dedication to the eradication of hunger in our Bahamas,” said Mr Stubbs. “Philip’s passion and his tireless energy, compassion and fund-raising have truly made him the face in the fight against hunger for nearly a decade and we are pleased that he will remain on the board.

“We wish him every success and we welcome Lester Ferguson, a man whose purpose-driven life has impacted and uplifted countless numbers of men, women and children whose lives are better today because of his encouragement.”

Rev Ferguson was the first Bahamian divisional commander of the Salvation Army in The Bahamas, leading that organisation for ten years. Following that post, he headed the policies and regulations unit of the then newly enacted Persons with Disabilities Equal Opportunities Act. Since 2017, Rev Ferguson has been the pastor of the Grants Town Wesley Methodist Church.

He praised his predecessor and said he is excited to tackle the work ahead.

“Philip Smith along with the founder of the Bahamas Feeding Network, Frank Crothers, grew a vision of pulling together a few churches, feeding centres and soup kitchens in 2013 into a national network of more than 100 civic, secular and religious organisations feeding thousands every week,” Rev Ferguson said.

“Philip’s drive and commitment inspired a team of volunteers who before COVID prepped, cooked and packed thousands of hot meals a week and post pandemic packaged enough groceries to keep a nation from starvation. His tireless fund-raising ensured there were always supplies. I am honoured to help continue the mission of the Bahamas Feeding Network. One of the objectives of the network is to be a resource for feeding centres across Nassau, and I look forward to further strengthening all of our partnerships to help hungry families in our nation.”

Mr Smith estimates that BFN was responsible for putting tens of thousands of meals on the tables of Bahamians since 2013.

“The Bahamas Feeding Network could never have done this without the incredible support of believers in what we were doing; we are grateful for the contributions of a number of local and international organisations and businesses whose unwavering generosity kept our mission alive, especially during the last two years of the pandemic,” said Mr Smith. “We would never have even started without our founder, His Excellency Frank Crothers and our board members. We have come a long way and I salute our staff, volunteers, donors and other partners who are here every day – they are the real heroes. I believe we could not have found a better person than Lester Ferguson, who has been an active board member since the beginning, to take the Bahamas Feeding Network into the future.”