Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority On St. Croix Makes ‘Blessings In A Bag’ Thanksgiving Presentation To Juanita Gardine Students

ST. CROIX — The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Mu Gamma Omega Chapter on Monday afternoon presented 30 bags of dried goods to students at the Juanita Gardine Elementary School who were chosen by the school’s leadership as those most in need this Thanksgiving.

Called “Blessings in a Bag”, the bags — which included items such as seasoned rice, macaroni and cheese, corn muffins, vegetables and other goods — were presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha, Mu Gamma Omega Chapter President Oran Bowry in the school’s library.

The sorority partnered with Plaza Extra East for the presentation, Ms. Bowry said. She said the supermarket provided gift certificates for each bag that are redeemable at the store, where parents could either purchase a turkey or ham to complete their Thanksgiving meal.

“The school has been adopted as one the sorority’s Operation AKA sites,” said Ms. Bowry, a respected member of the USVI community who serves as a member of the University of the Virgin Islands’ Board of Trustees, and is the senior vice president and division manager of the Virgin Islands Region of Banco Popular. “We strive to support the schools and the student body particularly, giving to those students that are most in need,” she added.

Juanita Gardine Principal Barbara McGregor expressed her appreciation for the sorority’s continued support of the elementary school’s students. “Our families are most appreciative,” she said. “The sorority started a food pantry and thus far we’ve been able to give out 18 bags of groceries to students, and the students themselves are overwhelmed when they receive it, so I know that this is going to be quite a surprise for them.”

The sorority has close to 200 members on St. Croix, 47 of whom are active. Ms. Bowry said the group is primarily focused on ending childhood hunger.