Hi, my name is Chantell, owner of Pimento Kitchen (PK). I’m from Ohio, with deep family roots in Jamaica. In my local community, I’ve spent years involved in outreach and advocacy work, especially around homelessness, food insecurity, and family support. After seeing the devastation caused by the recent hurricane, I knew I couldn’t sit back and watch.

Many people who know my heritage and familial roots reached out asking how they could help. After some thought, I realized I could do something tangible: organize and send barrels of food, hygiene products, medical supplies, and essential goods directly to families and communities impacted by the storm, starting with the areas where my own family lives.

This effort will specifically focus on helping families in Trelawny Parish, a community historically rooted in sugar-estate work, now home to many families still rebuilding after the storm. The storm caused catastrophic damage to homes, vegetation, and infrastructure, with many rural communities. Residents are struggling with a lack of aid, food, and communication, with reports of challenges in getting assistance to affected areas. With limited infrastructure and rural access, families there face higher barriers to recovery.

After larger organizations have completed their initial response and left the island, smaller rural communities are often left to recover on their own, which is why this second wave of recovery is so important. The immediate aid may stop, but the needs continue. Babies still need milk, children still need school supplies and clothes, and families still struggle to access essentials like food, hygiene items, and even cell phone credit to stay connected and informed.

This next phase of support will help them sustain themselves long after the first responders have gone home. A donation of just $25 can provide a family with a basket of essentials, including food staples like rice and canned goods, along with basic hygiene items such as soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, to help them get through the weeks ahead.

The goal is to raise $5,000 to fill and ship several “Barrels of Hope” to Jamaica during the second wave of recovery in January and February 2026. Every dollar raised will go toward:

Partnering with trusted local contacts on the ground will be essential to the success of this effort. This includes working closely with family members, community leaders, and local organizations. With a plan to travel to the island myself with the PK Team to help coordinate logistics and ensure that all donations are distributed directly to those most in need.

This effort means a lot to me. It’s a way to give back to the island that shaped my family and to stand in solidarity with the people of Jamaica as they rebuild their lives. ❤️