Salvation Army faces challenges this Christmas season

Head of this country’s Salvation Army Major Pierre Antoine says that he is fearful that the Army may not meet its projected target through its Christmas kettle appeal this year.

The Major, speaking at the Canfest press conference on Tuesday at the Coreas Hazells conference room,{{more}} said that he is aware of the current economic situation, which may cause regular contributors to give less than they may want to.

“It’s a little bit slow and we are seeing if we can get some advertisement so that people can come forward and give more, and it seems like we are not going to get our target, but we are working to see if we can achieve it, but it is very difficult at this time,” Antoine said.

“The challenges that we are facing; the economic problem might be the cause people to reduce. If people usually give like one hundred, they might cut it in half… but let us pray and trust that somebody would come forward and give us a big donation so that we can get our target.”

The Army hopes to meet a target of $100,000 this year.

Antoine said that it was hoped that contributions from the 2014 edition of Canfest would assist in its food distribution programme, which he says would aim to feed more than 800 families in the upcoming year.

He thanked the organisers and sponsors of the event which takes place on Friday December 19, at the Victoria Park, and features overseas artistes Shall Marshall and Chino, who would be complemented by local artistes and DJs.

The Major also commended the initiative to have people make cash contributions instead of cans, since some people prefer not to used expired products.

This year’s major sponsors include LIME, Scotia Bank, EVE products from Coreas Hazells, SEARCHLIGHT Newspaper among others.

“I think that this event is a great event especially for those who are less fortunate in this country…. We are so happy when an organisation like that can be formed and support different charities in this country because we have a lot of people in this country who are less fortunate.

“When an organisation like that can give us two barrels of tins and we are grateful because without that organisation we cannot do much,” highlighted the Major.

Antoine pointed out that apart from food distribution, the Army also sustains an orphanage, and provides meals for up to 150 school children daily.

“People come in to us from time to time for food parcels and it is hard to see people come in to us with a child and say ‘Major I need some food,’ and it its very difficult to let that person go without the parcel, so we are always in need.”(JJ)