Salvation Army on a mission to feed more

THE SALVATION ARMY is calling on corporate Barbados to donate more to its back-to-school sponsorship programme.

Community relations director Major Denzil Walcott made the plea during a ceremony where CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank gave an undisclosed donation and vouchers were handed over to 80 families.

“This year more people have come to us, but we have been able to sift through and give it to the neediest. We’re giving this year to 80 families who will benefit from this back-to-school programme. We thank CIBC FirstCaribbean, Cave Shepherd and Abed’s for sponsorship,” he said.

He added that families in general encountered problems with rent due, children’s tuition and buying basic food items. 

“We are hoping that as a result of this programme . . . other corporate entities would want to give a little more to the Salvation Army. We are also hoping next year to have a mid-year meal appeal, introduce again the Salvation Army tag day, and have an annual dinner.

“We had a dinner this year that was held at the [Ivan Harewood Parish Centre, Christ Church], and we’re looking to make that an annual affair. Through that we can get some more funds to help offset the cost of our programmes,” he explained.

Walcott said discussions were still continuing with the Barbados Vagrants and Homeless Society to host a feeding programme.

“One of the things the Salvation Army is concerned about is that we still see people on the streets . . . . We would like to move away from feeding people on the streets in long lines, and let them sit down at a table and eat . . . . We have enough space for a breakfast programme and a supper programme. But once people are able to commit, we are willing.”

The Salvation Army feeds between 120 to 130 people each day at its Reed Street headquarters in The City. (RA) 

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