Salvation Army halfway to Christmas Appeal target

The Salvation Army has raised half of its $750 000 Christmas Appeal target so far.

Business Divisional Manager Sherma Evelyn said while the non-profit organisation is thankful for the donations from businesses and kind-hearted Barbadians thus far, it must reach the target in order to respond to significant demand.

Speaking to the media at the Barbados Police Cooperative Credit Union Ltd in Lightfoot Lane, The City where she accepted a $5 000 donation, Evelyn said the Salvation Army continues to see an increasing number of Barbadians seeking help with getting meals, food supplies, and other necessities.

“The appeal is going pretty okay. It is not where we would like it to be but we believe that by the time we close off our appeal it will reach its goal and this $5 000 will help us along the way to reaching our target,” Evelyn said.

“The target this year is $750 000. Yes, we have gone past half of that and I think that is a combination of individuals giving through the Red Kettle and corporate Barbados and other foundations. We appreciate all that people have already given us and at this time we are preparing to give out our food hampers next week Wednesday.”

The Business Manager said that while the feeding programme was providing meals five days per week for between 200 to 240 individuals last year, it had expanded its reach this year to 275 people, including shut-ins.

“So far for the Christmas hamper programme, we are still seeing people coming. Right now, registration is still open and we advise Barbadians who are in need to come and register…. Our policy is that when we have reached our limit we stop, but we try our best to assist those when they come. We may not be able to give you a full hamper after that time but we might be able to assist you with some basic needs,” Evelyn explained.

Assistant Secretary of the credit union, Edwin O’Neal, who made the presentation to the Salvation Army said he hoped the donation would go a long way in assisting the organisation to bring cheer and joy to those who deserve it.

Noting that the credit union’s bylaws were amended to allow other members of the disciplined and protective services and their families to qualify for membership, he said the Salvation Army could benefit from that.

“That is significant because, previously, the police cooperative was a kind of closed shop, limited to only members of the police force and their immediate families. And I want to take this opportunity to urge more policemen, more members of the protective services and their families to join up with the police credit union.

“And hopefully that would lead to increased income, increased levels of profitability, increased capacity to service the needs of members and the little crumbs that we now donate to the Salvation Army would be bigger crumbs,” O’Neal said.

He also made an appeal to the general public to continue making donations to allow the Salvation Army to continue helping the needy in society. (AH)