PUMA Energy Gifts Christmas Hampers to Sixty Families  

As Belizeans gear up for their final tax-free Christmas shopping spree, it’s easy to forget that some families can’t afford even the basics for a festive holiday. That’s why one corporate citizen is once again turning the spirit of giving into action. For the past thirteen years, Puma Energy Belize has partnered with the Yabra Community Policing Unit to support families in the area. An annual tradition that began as a children’s Christmas party had to adapt when COVID restrictions banned large gatherings. This year, that long-standing tradition continues with a full Christmas grocery bag distribution aimed at ensuring families can enjoy a complete holiday meal. We visited PUMA’s headquarters on Caesar Ridge Road today to find out more.

 

Brenda Pascasio- Garnett, Retail Manager, PUMA Belize

“Each year, for the past thirteen years, we have been partnering with the Yabra Community Police right up the street from us. Thirteen years ago we started with a children’s Christmas party, and for several years we would host about eighty kids, and then COVID came and we had to switch things up a bit. And so then we transitioned to our Christmas grocery bag. So some of the same children, the families we provide grocery bags for that perfect Christmas meal, right? So you get everything. You get your quality poultry gift certificate where you could pick up your ham or your Turkey. You get your flour for your cake or your bread, eggs, cranberry, stuffings. Everything is in these bags for a complete Christmas meal. We just want to encourage everyone, wherever you are, your community whether it’s your neighborhood or your family, everybody’s not able to have the same at Christmas time. So if you can give a little, just extend yourself, whether it’s in kind or in cash, right? And then everybody gets to enjoy the Christmas spirit.”