The hidden crisis: food insecurity in Bermuda

Every week in Bermuda, hundreds of families line up quietly — not at grocery stores, but at The Eliza DoLittle food pantry. They arrive with dignity and leave with something far more powerful than food: hope.

Food insecurity has become a visible and growing crisis, impacting working parents, seniors and children across our island. The Eliza DoLittle Society (Teds) is committed to reducing the cost of living for families by providing a bag of groceries once a week, adjusted to the size of each household.

The pantry presently serves approximately 350 households every week. Last year, 790 families made nearly 16,000 visits for groceries. Despite these efforts, more than 40 households remain on our waiting list. These individuals may be your friends, neighbours or even family.

A moral emergency

This situation is more than just a statistic — it is a moral emergency. Rising living costs, stagnant wages and fixed incomes are making it increasingly difficult for families to afford basic groceries. For many, our pantry is their only reliable source of food. One single mother of three shared: “I used to skip meals so my kids could eat. Now, I don’t have to.” A senior added: “I never imagined needing help at this stage of life. Teds gave me dignity, not just food.”

Our approach: compassion, efficiency and community support

With a small team of three, and a dedicated group of volunteers, Teds operates efficiently, ensuring low overhead and directing as much funding as possible to programme services. Founded on the belief that food is a human right, Teds is driven by compassion, efficiency and community support. However, compassion alone cannot meet the increasing demand.

What we need

Teds needs infrastructure, food and financial investment. To address this urgent need, we are launching a campaign in January to raise $100,000 — critical funds that will directly support pantry operations and food procurement. These funds will help to reduce the waiting list, maintain our weekly service to hundreds of families, and secure a steady supply of essential groceries.

Join us in fighting hunger

We welcome individuals, businesses, schools and faith communities to stand with us:

Donate: every dollar makes a difference — help us to nourish more families in need

Give goods: support our food drive by contributing essential non-perishable items

Partner: corporate collaboration expands our reach and deepens our impact

Share the message: your voice raises awareness — and awareness drives change

The Eliza DoLittle Society is more than a food pantry — it’s a cornerstone of hope and resilience in Bermuda. And with the community’s continued support, we can ensure that every family has access to healthy food and the dignity that comes with it.

To learn more, volunteer or donate, visit www.theelizadolittlesociety.bm.

Clare Mello-Robinson is the executive director of The Eliza DoLittle Society. This op-ed is part of the Third Sector Spotlight Series, a collective campaign co-ordinated by the Non-Profit Alliance of Bermuda. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the value, impact and contributions of Bermuda’s non-profit sector