Spreading hope:
Salvation Army’s Xmas luncheon in heavier demand
Cave Shepherd volunteers distributing food for Salvation Army Clients.
Amid rising calls for help, the Salvation Army has expanded its outreach this Christmas, feeding more people than ever before.
With a $10 000 donation from Cave Shepherd, the charity served meals to hundreds at its annual Christmas luncheon, underscoring the growing need for support in Barbados.
Salvation Army Divisional Business Manager Sherma Evelyn, says the army usually feeds 300 people daily and up to 350 on Christmas, but this year that number has increased to 400, with more people walking in and asking for meals.
The annual luncheon was held in the courtyard at its headquarters on Reed Street on Friday.
She said: “We have found that even though we have 400 tickets out, there are still people who turn up today without tickets. We will still give them from what we have. So we put it extra just in case. The need is more this year than last year.”
Evelyn highlighted the increased support from corporate Barbados: “One of the things we have found this year is that corporate Barbados has really stepped up and assisted us in various aspects of what we do at Christmas and going forward.”
She revealed that although they have only received $580 000 so far of the $850 000 needed, the assistance continues: “I believe that even with hearing and seeing what we are doing with the funds raised, that other individuals and corporate Barbados will continue to assist us in reaching that target.”
Evelyn expressed confidence in the public in helping them reach their goal: “I’m always confident that we will reach our goal. I’m always confident that Barbadians are very kind people. Barbadians are persons who give. Our theme this year is Be a good neighbour this Christmas, and that’s what we’re emphasising. So when you get to the Salvation Army, it’s helping you to be a good neighbour and not just at Christmas, but for the rest of the year.”
Although the Christmas Kettle donation ends on Christmas Eve, the charity will continue accepting donations until the end of January, she announced.
Evelyn said: “Our regular donors — they know that even though they didn’t reach Christmas Eve, that is when the red kettles will stop, but at the same time they can still come in and give the donation no matter what the amount is, because I believe that every small amount adds up to the big amount.”
Roger Cave, Cave Shepherd’s chief executive, said the company’s donation was combined with personal contributions from among the group’s over 200 staff.
He said: “A number of members of our group contributed personally towards it. Over a quarter of the meals were people who personally contributed to the support from the company; $10 000 for today, $8 000 plus $2 000 that came from people personally from employees of the Cave Shepherd Group.”
Cave noted that the company has partnered with the charity for several years. They contributed $100 000 to the development and construction of the kitchen the Salvation Army uses every day to prepare meals for the less fortunate.
(LG)
With a $10 000 donation from Cave Shepherd, the charity served meals to hundreds at its annual Christmas luncheon, underscoring the growing need for support in Barbados.
Salvation Army Divisional Business Manager Sherma Evelyn, says the army usually feeds 300 people daily and up to 350 on Christmas, but this year that number has increased to 400, with more people walking in and asking for meals.
The annual luncheon was held in the courtyard at its headquarters on Reed Street on Friday.
She said: “We have found that even though we have 400 tickets out, there are still people who turn up today without tickets. We will still give them from what we have. So we put it extra just in case. The need is more this year than last year.”
Evelyn highlighted the increased support from corporate Barbados: “One of the things we have found this year is that corporate Barbados has really stepped up and assisted us in various aspects of what we do at Christmas and going forward.”
She revealed that although they have only received $580 000 so far of the $850 000 needed, the assistance continues: “I believe that even with hearing and seeing what we are doing with the funds raised, that other individuals and corporate Barbados will continue to assist us in reaching that target.”
Evelyn expressed confidence in the public in helping them reach their goal: “I’m always confident that we will reach our goal. I’m always confident that Barbadians are very kind people. Barbadians are persons who give. Our theme this year is Be a good neighbour this Christmas, and that’s what we’re emphasising. So when you get to the Salvation Army, it’s helping you to be a good neighbour and not just at Christmas, but for the rest of the year.”
Although the Christmas Kettle donation ends on Christmas Eve, the charity will continue accepting donations until the end of January, she announced.
Evelyn said: “Our regular donors — they know that even though they didn’t reach Christmas Eve, that is when the red kettles will stop, but at the same time they can still come in and give the donation no matter what the amount is, because I believe that every small amount adds up to the big amount.”
Roger Cave, Cave Shepherd’s chief executive, said the company’s donation was combined with personal contributions from among the group’s over 200 staff.
He said: “A number of members of our group contributed personally towards it. Over a quarter of the meals were people who personally contributed to the support from the company; $10 000 for today, $8 000 plus $2 000 that came from people personally from employees of the Cave Shepherd Group.”
Cave noted that the company has partnered with the charity for several years. They contributed $100 000 to the development and construction of the kitchen the Salvation Army uses every day to prepare meals for the less fortunate.
(LG)