COVID-19 food packages were distributed in an orderly fashion on March 6 at the Koblerville Youth Center and the Garapan Fishing Base, thanks to the Department of Public Safety.
DPS saw to it that “the vehicle lines are not obstructing traffic and maintaining order for those that attempted to ‘cut’ in line and create disorder in the food packages distribution,” said Epi Cabrera, CNMI Office of Grants Management & State Clearinghouse administrator.
“Police officers monitored the long line, and immediately responded to and diffused any potential disturbance or conflict,” he added.
Cabrera likewise commended and thanked the Army Reservists, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, the offices of the governor, Rep. Roy Ada and Rep. Joseph Leepan Guerrero for providing crucial assistance during the distribution of food in Koblerville and Garapan.
He said 1,200 food packages were distributed in Koblerville, and 1,200 in Garapan.
“If the community needs more, we will write more grants,” he added.
Funding for the food packages came from a grant awarded by the U.S. Interior Department’s Office of Insular Affairs.
Each household received a bag of rice, a case of chicken, a box of ramen noodles, and assorted canned goods.
U.S. Army Reserve Saipan officer-in-charge, Lt. Peter Camacho, told Variety that he was proud of the military and government partnership “for our people who are going through tough times — we just want to give back to our community.”
He added, “Everything went smoothly. The soldiers helped load all the equipment and materials, then assisted in putting the food packages in the vehicles.”
Camacho said they started early to reduce traffic.
The 17 Reservists who helped distribute the food packages are all from Saipan, he added.
A firefighter and an Army Reservist distribute food packages at the Koblerville Youth Center on March 6.
Photo by Bryan Manabat
Firefighters load a bag of rice onto a pick-up truck on Saturday at the Koblerville Youth Center.
Photo by Bryan Manabat
Army Reservists load food packages into the trunk of an SUV at the Garapan Fishing Base on Saturday.
Photo by Bryan Manabat
