Throngs of people who flooded the Salvation Army’s headquarters yesterday left with a smile.
It was hamper distribution day at the non-profit charitable organization.
Many waited in line both inside and outside the building on Reed Street, The City. Mothers held their little ones in one arm and their bundles in the other.
Old women could be heard laughing as one shouted: “Hallelujah. Thank you, Jesus, for small mercies!”
Others walked through the gates with hampers in hand, chatting with one another.
Everybody seemed thankful and happy.
This year, 2 500 Christmas hampers will be distributed in different locations around the island, 1 000 of which will be given out at headquarters.
Each hamper includes basic groceries and contains 21 items valued at $40.
During a brief ceremony before the hampers were handed out, Independent Senator Geoffrey Cave, also patron of the army’s 2011 Christmas Appeal, commended the organization for the charitable work it had done throughout the island over the years.
He reminded the gathering that Christmas was not only about receiving, but also about giving.
“The appealing process is pleasant and lots of people get great pleasure in giving. But, for me, it is most heartening to participate in the distribution of the hampers.
“To all of you, you have made a significant contribution to Barbados in bringing us through from Independence,” said Cave.
The army’s divisional commander Major Dewhurst Jonas said that this year his organization had increased the number of hampers by 500.
He added: “We are visiting nursing homes and the [Geriatric] hospital and we are giving them packages as well. Also, this year we are having our children’s party and again we hope to give out a number of gifts.”
