For many families in Plattsburgh, Christmas came with a warm plate of food and a generous spirit, thanks to Island Vybz, a Jamaican restaurant and Caribbean convenience store. For the fourth year in a row, the locally owned business offered free meals to the community, providing a mix of Jamaican and American cuisine to those in need.
Owner Showayne Telfer, who moved from Jamaica to Plattsburgh in 2016, has been leading this heartwarming initiative since 2021. Inspired by the struggles families faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Telfer partnered with a friend to launch this program.
“He saw the need of the community, a lot of people in need of food. And I had the facility just to make that happen. So, the both of us teamed up together, and this is what it created,” Telfer shared with WOTZ NBC.
The meals, available for delivery or takeout to customers who make reservations, have become a holiday tradition in downtown Plattsburgh. Hundreds of plates are served each year, offering not just nourishment but also hope to the local community.
Chelsea Bendaravicius, a customer from Rouses Point, praised the effort, saying, “With everything going up, I think our economy needs it sometimes. And it’s nice that they’re doing that. So, it’s wonderful.”
Telfer, who took over the Clinton Street business in 2020, emphasized the personal significance of this project. “This is my way and my sacrifice to give back to the community. It’s very important to serve the community in this way,” he said.
While many businesses are closed on Christmas, Island Vybz stays busy ensuring no one goes hungry. Telfer plans to keep this tradition alive for years to come, describing it as a lasting gift to the North Country community.
As Plattsburgh continues to celebrate the season, initiatives like this remind everyone of the true spirit of Christmas: giving back and uplifting others.