A few years ago Beverly-Ann Taylor discovered that in her own neighbourhood there were families in need.

There were children who were going to bed hungry and it wasn't because their parents or parent was on drugs. It was because they just could not afford to buy food and pay the rent.

She also saw homes where there were no stoves or refrigerators.

So Mrs. Taylor organised a group of women, from different church denominations around the Island, and began putting food bags together to give to these families.

The Prospect Primary school teacher, who considers herself an advocate for hungry families, said they help those who cannot afford to buy food because they are living in a single parent home, one parent is unemployed. Or they have to make the choice between paying for food or the rent, or they are families who Social Services told they could not qualify for assistance until they met certain criteria.

"I have always had the desire to help the needy because I grew up in a family of six children so I know what hard times are like,'' Mrs. Taylor said.

She added: "The other women in the group prefer to remain anonymous but because we would like to do this on a regular basis I am coming forward to ask for additional assistance from anyone who can help.

"Some of these mothers don't have appliances. One mother I know can't afford a refrigerator because her rent is high, another family didn't have a stove and these are not mothers who get their nails done every week or take trips on the weekends.

"I have seen mothers who are well dressed, with their nails done but their children are hungry and I have seen families where the children are wearing designer clothes and sneakers but have no food. Those are not the types of families that we reach out to help.'' Mrs. Taylor added that the mothers involved with them are "truly people who are really in need''.

"While we are helping people in other countries we need to remember that we have children here, in our own neighbourhoods, who go to bed hungry every night.'' She added that some of these families live in Government apartments where they pay $1,400 a month in Middletown. "Either they pay the rent or they buy food.

Government needs to put other programmes in place to help the many families that go unnoticed and those that don't fit the criteria for Social Services.

"I get calls from older ladies as well, who are living off their pension and cannot afford to buy things.'' Mrs. Taylor said there are churches like the Salvation Army who do help needy families. "I have taken families there to pick up groceries but that is once a month. I have also pointed people in the direction of social assistance to get some help.

"We need help, not just at Christmas-time but all through the year. Maybe going to bed hungry is one of the many reasons kids are going to school so angry -- because they are hungry.'' Mrs. Taylor said the group does not collect any outdated foods.

"We have also given away furniture to needy families so if anyone has furniture that is just sitting in the basement or a spare room we will take that, too.

She added that through meeting different families she has also come across people who cannot afford to buy beds and their clothes are in trash bags because they don't have dressers.

Mrs. Taylor concluded by saying if there is anyone who wishes to donate items they can call 295-0077 or leave a message.