900 Plus Receive Hampers from the Salvation Army
The headquarters of the Salvation Army in the downtown area of the City was buzzing with activity today. The organization as it has very year came through big time for a number of families. They got their Christmas cheer all contained in a hamper of goodies to make the holidays jollier. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Simultaneously across five locations in Belize City and elsewhere families were gifted with a hamper filled with subsistence in this season of giving. Just in time for the holidays, the Salvation Army has come through for over nine hundred families who will now be able to celebrate Christmas easier. The highly anticipated hamper distribution has Major Jonathan Kellman feeling the spirit of Christmas, despite the inclement weather today.
Jonathan Kellman
Major Jonathan Kellman, District Commander, Salvation Army Belize
“I like the energy from these people here this morning and it was good that we got the time to not just give out the hampers, but we got some time to share about the whole Christmas thing and really encourage them to share as well. I challenged them to take one item from the hamper and share it with another person who is in need. We can’t touch everybody, we can’t help [everybody], but if they can reach out from what they received, then we can extend the help.”
And it’s in that spirit that the elderly as well as those special needs persons were first to receive their hampers as we witnessed this morning at the Salvation Army Headquarters on Regent Street in downtown Belize City. Major Kellman says that he was initially concerned that the organization would not have been able to meet its target, but corporate citizens threw support behind its mission.
Major Jonathan Kellman
“I was kinda concern as the kettle appeal was going to be able to complete this in time because the seven hundred children dinner at Holy Redeemer is a big thing, a big expense. But we managed to come through, especially from corporate Belize sent some cheques in the male and then the kettle just took on a sudden upsurge and I really want to thank the public for helping us in the Salvation Army to reach this goal. People come to the different locations and they registered. The registration started the fourteen of November so it took some time. We really catered or the preference is to the vulnerable which would include young people who come as single parent homes, large amount of children, but especially elderly because they can’t stretch the dollar. So if we could give them something that will last them, food supplies for two weeks. Originally, the kettle thing was just for one meal when it started many years ago, but now the package you could actually cook some stuff in there for at least a week, maybe two weeks.”
The recipients were overwhelmed by the donation. But having been on the ground this year, Kellman says that there is more to be done to help Belizeans, who seem to need a listening ear.
Major Jonathan Kellman
“Since we launched the kettle, I have been talking to a lot of people face-to-face on the street and I realize the need is there, but more than all, I realize that people have a whole lotta problems and they just need somebody to talk to. So if we, during this Christmas time, can not only reach out with giving things, but also give time to share and encourage people along the way because people are hurting especially a lot at this time of the year; it is a sensitive time.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
