Seven hundred needy people from across the island received their food parcels from the Salvation Army on Wednesday when the Barbados Division did their Christmas distribution at the Reed Street headquarters.
The food parcels which contain 21 basic food items including rice, cooking oil, milk, sugar and flour were presented by Minister of Social Care, Steve Blackett to persons referred from the Welfare Department, National Assistance Board and those who would normally seek assistance from the Salvation Army during the year.
Major Dewhurst Jonas, Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army of Barbados and St Lucia said the the organization intends to distribute over 2 000 food parcels at the other centres across the islands of Barbados and St Lucia.
Blackett, Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development commended the Salvation Army for their continued effort to nurture the body and soul of indigent Barbadians through the ministry of the word and the provision of food, clothing shelter and welfare amenities. The Minister also noted that the challenges of the current economic environment should not diminish the social responsibility of being “our brother’s keeper” and to assisting in provision of care to the less fortunate.
The minister also pledged the Government’s continued commitment to the provision of financial and other support to the programmes of the Army.