No schoolchild is turned away from Salvation Army’s feeding programme

There are some distinguishing features about the Salvation Army which make Salvationists stand out wherever they are. 

The white-on-red crest with the words ‘The Salvation Army’, the white uniform of officers with the distinctive ‘S’ for salvation, are as recognizable as the brass band which provides music at campaigns, festivals and Sunday worship; or the distinctive red copper collection kettles that are manned by volunteers in the lead up to the Christmas season, soliciting donations for charitable work.

The activities of this Protestant Christian movement and international charity organization are mirrored wherever the Salvation Army operates, as its work derives from the biblical injunction to win souls for the Kingdom, but also to not neglect the poor.

Here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, where the Salvation Army planted its footsteps 112 years ago, its work of charity is no less visible and profound. 

Hundreds of Vincentians have told of having benefited from the ‘Army’s’ daily meals provided to students at a cost of 50 cents to one dollar. But, as Major Persha Antoine is quick to point out, no student is turned away for lack of money.

In fact, when SEARCHLIGHT visited, the kitchen staff discovered, as they were cleaning up after lunch, that a primary school girl with no lunch money failed to tell someone about her situation.  Alarmed, she was fed, but not before she was reminded not to be embarrassed to speak up. 

On a daily basis, up to 60 children receive a hot, cooked lunch, prepared at the Army’s kitchen, which is located at its Melville Street headquarters in Kingstown.

“We also give dry foods on a daily basis” to people who come “from time to time because they have nothing to eat,” says Major Persha.

She, along with her husband and commanding officer, Major Pierre Antoine, spearheads the work of the Salvation Army in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The contents of these food parcels are all contributions from the public. In fact, the Salvation Army’s charitable programmes are principally supported through donations from private citizens, corporate entities and the State; the main visible effort being the annual kettle appeals, which this year will be launched November 10.

From the kettle appeal, Christmas food parcels are distributed to institutions and senior citizens.

Major Persha explained that in addition to some funds from the kettle appeal, support for the feeding programme is obtained from the sale of donated items to the thrift shop where clothing can be purchased for “two dollars, three dollars, five dollars.”

There is no shortage of public generosity or demand for services. Over a 20-minute period, SEARCHLIGHT encountered a mother and son dropping off two large bags of clothing; a mother trying to source a pair of pants from the thrift shop for a child, and a vagrant searching in the barrel of clothing always available to them, for an item of clothing his size – he did not find something suitable that day.

Major Pierre Antoine gives God the glory for the work of the Salvation Army in St Vincent and the Grenadines, “in that we have contributed to those who are less fortunate…and our children’s home.”

The facility, located at Buccament and built on lands donated by the Government, opened in 2012.

“[It] is a transit home where we have children [who] sometimes spend three years, four years [ depending] on the situation.” It currently houses eight children, all referred by the state social agencies.

A pre-school and day care centre complete the services which the ‘Army’ offers to the public, who acclaimed its work by voting it Best Charity in the Best of SVG 2017 awards.

“Vincentians appreciate the work that the Salvation Army has been doing throughout the years … without Vincentians the organization could not have done so well,” said Major Pierre Antoine.

They have seen the passion it brings to the care of people, and Major is confident that “the organization will continue to do its best to support Vincentians.”