Thousands benefitted from the services of the Salvation Army during the first nine months of the year.
And as members launched the annual Christmas Kettle Appeal today, Barbadians have been asked assist in reaching the $700 000 target, which will be spent to assist the most vulnerable in the community.
Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board Paul Bernstein made that appeal on Friday at Heroes Square in The City where the appeal was launched.
“We are approaching a second Christmas under this COVID-19 pandemic which unfortunately is still with us and causing hardship within the community and, by extension, putting more financial pressure on us as we try as much as possible to assist those in need.
“Our target is $700 000 – the same as last year. Let me assure you the Salvation Army uses 85 cents of every dollar received to provide direct services to the people in need,” Bernstein said.
From January to the end of September, he said 419 people received clothing, furnishings went to 25 families, 1 600 food hampers were distributed, and 26 330 hot meals were prepared for the most vulnerable.
Out of those meals, 8 139 went to shut-ins, and 38 people received other assistance.
Next month they will prepare another 4 000 Christmas hampers and give gifts to children’s homes and senior citizen homes.
“Barbadians, we need your support more than ever, please donate generously to our kettles and our mail appeal. Remember heart to God and hand to man,” Bernstein said.
During the launch, the Royal Barbados Police Force band performed numerous Holiday selections for the audience.
Minister of People Empowerment Cynthia Forde, managing director of Scotiabank Barbados Limited Suzette Armoogam-Shah, and other members of corporate Barbados attended the launch and pledged their support.
Forde expressed gratitude to the Salvation Army and urged Barbadians to chip in where they could to assist underprivileged Barbadians and the Christmas Kettle Appeal.
“How can we go to bed at night with our stomachs full of food knowing that our families and friends are safe, while the most vulnerable are on the street, going to sleep hungry?
“I want the red kettles to be brimming to the top across the lengths and breadths of Barbados. If you cannot give a $20, a $10, $5 or $2 would do. There are many that can put in a Grantley ($100 bill) or two, so I am imploring all of you to come on board and assist the Salvation Army,” Forde said. (TG)