Reading Time: 5 minutes

St Thomas native mobilises diaspora & local network to support Hurricane Melissa survivors

South Florida-based catering company Taste of Home by Yash, owned and operated by Jamaican-born entrepreneur Yasheka Reid, brought hot meals and care packages to residents of Bethel Town, Westmoreland, when it hosted a live kitchen outreach recently (on Saturday, January 10, 2026), on the lawns of the Bethel Town Baptist Church Manse. 

Through the collaborative effort, over 600 freshly prepared meals, uncooked food parcels, 50 cases of water, 175 care packages as well as personal care items, non-perishable food items, clothing, shoes and other miscellaneous items were provided to the residents of Bethel Town.  

The initiative was organised to support families affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, providing relief through freshly prepared meals, care packages, and essential products.

“God was literally our only help,” Rev. Ross said. “My wife and I sheltered in one corner at the entrance of the living room. It was the only place that was not getting wet.

These were the words declared by Reverend Junior Ross, Pastor of the Bethel Town Circuit of Baptist Churches, as he welcomed the team and community members gathered in Bethel Town, Westmoreland, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa on October 28 2025.

Speaking with deep emotion, Rev. Ross reflected on the night the hurricane tore through the community, sharing that it was during the storm’s passage that he got a deeper and greater appreciation for the reality of the Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

On the grounds of the Bethel Town community, the uplifting sounds of gospel music filled the air as the live kitchen sprang to life. A powerful rendition of “My God Is Awesome, He Can Move Mountains” resonated across the grounds, serving as a moving symbol of resilience, unity, and hope. The presence of Taste of Home by Yash underscored the spirit of compassion and community in the aftermath of the disaster.

The initiative was spearheaded by Yasheka Reid, a St. Thomas native and founder of Taste of Home by Yash, who mobilised a network of diaspora partners, local sponsors, family and community volunteers to bring tangible relief to one of the island’s hardest hit communities.

Despite the destruction suffered across the community, Rev. Ross expressed gratitude for the support and for the familiar faces who returned to serve. He said:  “I am very happy to see many of these young persons, some of whom I baptised over twenty years ago when I pastored the Arcadia Circuit of Baptist Churches in St. Thomas”. 

He added, “God truly provides in times of disaster by sending those who can help and for that I am so thankful for this team from St Thomas who came to serve”.

Reid, in disclosing her inspiration for the effort, said, “I felt duty-bound to help my fellow Jamaicans as most of my supporters are Jamaicans. Jamaica has given me so much of my culinary artistry. 

“I feel a deep sense of pride as my first kitchen experience was shadowing my grandmother and her church sisters as they prepared meals for large church events. Thereafter, I got my professional training at The Mico Teachers’ College and later through the University of Technology, Jamaica’s hospitality and tourism management programme”, Reid explained.  

“So, for me, it wasn’t a question of if, but when. A place that poured so much into who I am was broken, and I needed to contribute to restoring the spirit of the people”, Reid added. 

In describing the day’s proceedings, Reid acknowledged that “I felt overwhelmed on the day to see everything come together because this journey was truly a labour of love. I activated my contacts. I started soliciting support from my friends and clients until I had enough to establish a date. I am grateful for those who believed in this initiative and gave their support”.

Diaspora Support

Support poured in from across the diaspora. Nicole Ann Kennedy-Johnson, a registered nurse from St. Thomas now living in North Carolina shared that she followed Hurricane Melissa in real time.

“I was at work watching the devastation unfold online and came across a TikTok by Jay Progress of Rev. Ross asking for help for the elderly who were trapped or who couldn’t come to the front of the lines when care packages were being distributed. Immediately, I knew where I wanted to send my support”.

Kennedy-Johnson added that “my husband & I made flyers and asked neighbours and coworkers to donate. We might think that what we have is too small to share but no matter how rough life may seem for us, there is always someone worse off. 

Local Support

Community members from Arcadia District, St Thomas and volunteers from across the parish handled logistics on the ground, ensuring seamless execution.

The initiative was supported by Faced by Risha Makeup Artistry, Johnson’s Caribbean Shipping, Market Value Wholesale, the Law Offices of Monique C Reynolds, Teflon Express LLC, Archats LLC, Boswell’s Jamaican Grill, Tech N Threads, Straight Off Di Grill, Trace the World and All Things Cherish.

Dr. Wayne McKenzie, a key partner also rallied Jamaicans across the Caribbean, particularly Calid Hassad, General Manager of Antigua Power Company Limited, who provided the care packages. “As a Jamaican, it was my pleasure to tap into my network to support the initiative”, he said.

Public Relations Director for Taste of Home by Yash, Roshane Reid Koomson noted that while the giveback was initially planned for Thanksgiving, the new year outreach revealed the depth of the ongoing need.

Reid-Koomson highlighted that “many persons were still asking for food, clothing and toiletries – particularly diapers for the elderly – even though the biggest ask was for money or homes. Give whatever you can because the need still exists”. 

Like Minds Think Alike

Yasheka Reid shared that she was inspired to choose Bethel Town after seeing a TikTok video in which Rev. Ross highlighted the community’s challenges.

“I knew immediately that Bethel Town was the place,” she explained. “Around the same time, Nicole Ann Kennedy-Johnson was independently planning a similar initiative, and we felt it made sense to partner and work together.”

For Bethel Town, the Live Kitchen was more than a meal. It was a message of hope and a reminder that the community was not forgotten. From east to west, Jamaica’s spirit of unity was on full display.