Salvation Army faces rising demand as donations fall

More single-mother families and jobless people are turning to the Salvation Army for help as the high cost of living drives up demand while donations fall, Divisional Commander Major Robert Pyle told Barbados TODAY on Tuesday.

He said that although rising costs also impaired the Salvation Army’s ability to meet growing demand from vulnerable people, it would work to ensure none of its social services was cut.

Major Pyle highlighted an increase in homelessness and requests for help from people who would normally turn to the organisation as a last resort.

He said: “I have seen, unfortunately, very unfortunately for this year, there has been an increase in the level of homelessness on the streets, for whatever reason. There are multiple reasons, but yes, the demand is there. We have seen all kinds of people who normally would come to us as a last resort. We have persons who have been deported from the USA come to us; persons who have lost their jobs.

“Last year, for our Christmas luncheon, we saw an uptick in families coming for our Christmas luncheon. There has been an increase in families, as a whole, as opposed to individuals coming. Individuals still come, but we have seen an uptick in families; mothers with three children, four children and so forth. Normally single mothers.”

The Salvation Army, founded in Britain in 1865 and in Barbados since 1898, is again aiming to raise about $850 000 through its annual Christmas kettle appeal, which launches on Friday.

The money would help provide food and other supplies to thousands of Barbadians at Christmas, especially those struggling with high food prices, Major Pyle said.

“We will have our usual hamper distribution, which is 4 800 across Barbados in total. We have our usual Christmas luncheon for those who come to the Reed Street branch for their usual yearly lunch. We are catering for 400 people as we usually do.”

He said this year’s theme, Bringing Hope to the Table, reflects the high cost of living.

“We at the Salvation Army are determined to try to maintain the traditional  Bajan Christmas luncheon for our people, despite the rising cost of living. That is why we have Bringing Hope to the Table. We are trying not to have a smaller meal or less items because of the cost of the items. We still try to maintain that joy, that Christmas joy that people look forward to at Christmas.”

He said that “in spite of what is happening around us, we still try to maintain the joy for Christmas; and still give people, the less fortunate people, the same sort of joy and happiness and a good meal, as anybody that has money, would be able to afford”.

People wishing to attend the luncheon must register at the Reed Street headquarters in the City and collect a free ticket to help the charity manage numbers, he said.

“You have to apply because we cater to so many people over the years; we don’t want thousands of people turning up when we only cater for 400, but it is normally geared for those who normally have a meal with us during the year. It’s a special treat,” he said.

Major Pyle said the charity had been able to continue serving the community despite rising operating costs, thanks to the generosity and continued support of individual Barbadians and businesses. But, he added, donations had declined.

He said: “The donations have dropped slightly. There is no hiding that. It’s a reality. Nevertheless, we are still able to do the best we can with the little that we have. We are not able to help everybody as frequently as we would like to. However, we are still able to do what we can.

“So far, we have not been forced to cut back on anything as yet, and I hope that it never happens. The need is still there; the need is still great. What has helped us is that there are many other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) out there who are lending a helping hand to the less fortunate. So, if we don’t have anything to give them this week, they are able to go to a different NGO and be assisted accordingly. The help has come to be very good instead of relying on one NGO only.”

Major Pyle said businesses in Barbados, which had been “very good to us throughout the years” were again expected to support the Christmas appeal.

He said: “We have done very well with them, but again, things have changed with these different economic conditions with the wars that are happening across the world that are affecting the entire world economy for that matter. We do not know what the future holds, but we do have faith in God that He will provide and supply the needs that come.”

The Salvation Army’s Barbados ministry established a feeding programme in 1979 as a small initiative.

It also operated a hostel for homeless men, which was rebuilt in 2007. The feeding centre then moved into the same building. The church has also established a food pantry for people who need food and household supplies.

The Salvation Army’s community programmes include housing services for low-income men; a three-part feeding programme offering meals in conjunction with the Welfare Department; a meals-on-wheels service for physically disabled and elderly people; and a pantry providing grocery hampers, clothing and furniture, especially for fire victims and others referred by agencies other than the Welfare Department.

(EJ)