Volunteers from the Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants (CIIPA) came together on Saturday, 6 June to help pack and deliver hurricane preparedness kits to seniors across the Cayman Islands as part of the Institute's annual Hurricane Supplies for the Elderly initiative. Organised by CIIPA's Community Relations Committee in partnership with Meals on Wheels, the event helps ensure vulnerable seniors have access to essential supplies ahead of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which began on 1 June. It followed a month-long food drive organised by CIIPA's Community Relations Committee throughout May. Nine organisations donated monetary contributions or physical goods, the most since the initiative’s inception. They include Artex, Deloitte, EY, FTI Consulting, Harmonic, HLB Berman Fisher, KPMG, Marfire, and PwC.
Volunteers gathered at KPMG's Cricket Square offices to pack and distribute 36 kits containing food and other hurricane supplies to Meals on Wheels clients throughout the community. Excess supplies were boxed and given to Meals on Wheels.
"This is actually our flagship event," said Suzanne Scott, Co-Chair of CIIPA's Community Relations Committee. "It's super important. Many of these seniors don't have a lot of resources. They're given meals each week by Meals on Wheels. If a hurricane were to come, they don't have extra supplies for that."
Meals on Wheels Chief Executive Officer Jennifer West said the initiative plays a critical role in helping seniors prepare for hurricane season. "Without it, our seniors would more than likely have very limited supplies, if any supplies at all,” she said.
The event also highlights the importance of community partnerships and volunteerism in supporting some of Cayman’s most vulnerable residents.
"Meals on Wheels could not do our work without the entire community, and Cayman really does step up," West said. "Everybody, no matter their age or their ability, can do something to give back."
For CIIPA, the initiative reflects the profession's ongoing commitment to community service and giving back beyond the workplace. Through its Community Relations Committee, the Institute regularly organises volunteer and charitable activities throughout the year, including environmental cleanups, fundraising initiatives and support for local charities.
"Giving back even in a small way like this — donating a few hours on a Saturday — is so important to those who are less fortunate," Scott said. "It's so important to actually get in touch with that and donate some of your time to those that are less fortunate."