The Salvation Army has launched its 2023/2024 Christmas Kettle and Letter Appeal with the hope of collecting $850 000.
During a ceremony held at Golden Square Freedom Park in The City, advisory board chairman Paul Bernstein said the annual appeal initiative accounted for a substantial amount of the organisation’s yearly income.
He encouraged Barbadians to give whatever they could in order for the Christian organisation to continue its charity work.
“Our target this year is $850 000 and we hope with your help to exceed that amount. I am making a special appeal to the business community to please support this cause. Let me assure you that the Salvation Army uses 85 cents in every dollar received to provide direct services to those in need,” he said.
Bernstein highlighted the programmes the charity was involved in and pointed out that the Salvation Army was able to reach more people this year than last year.
About 200 families benefited from the back-to-school drive this year, compared to 100 families last year; 50 people received furnishing compared to 46 last year, and 1 941 people also received clothing compared to 1 870 the previous year.
This year, 5 300 families received food hampers and more than 200 people received books.
The organisation continues to feed the needy distributing 300 hot meals five days a week, which includes 75 meals on wheels.
Christmas gifts will be distributed to children homes, senior citizen facilities and to the less fortunate next month.
Bernstein added that since the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Barbados in March 2020, “we have seen a large increase among the less fortunate coming for assistance, which has put more financial pressure on us as we try as much as possible to assist all those in need. Hence, I am asking all Barbadians to support the kettles, remember every dollar counts”.
Member of Parliament for the City of Bridgetown Corey Lane commended the Salvation Army for all the work they have done throughout the years and encouraged everyone to contribute to the worthy cause.
He said that he would like this year’s monetary target to be surpassed and even reach $1 million.
“I ask you to open up your hearts, open up your pocket books, open up your wallets to ensure that as we come off of the COVID-19 pandemic and the other various ills within our society that the Salvation Army could make their mark and exceed $850 000 or even $1 million,” he said.
Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Mark Franklin said the work of the Salvation Army was critical in light of the challenges many Barbadians were facing such as unemployment, high cost of living and the impact of inflation on wages and rising food prices.
Franklin said that his ministry had a similar mandate as the army — to take care of the needs of vulnerable Barbadians. On this premise he said that is why he was pleased to announce that after many consultations and stakeholder meetings, Cabinet had approved the National Policy on Ageing.
He added that homelessness was another burning issue the ministry was addressing, noting that a situational analysis survey will soon be conducted by the University of the West Indies Cave Hill campus. He said an action plan to mitigate the problem was also in the works.
During the ceremony, the Barbados Police Service performed a number of Christmas carols much to the delight of those in attendance.
(SZB)
