Salvation Army Hands Out Food Packages

This morning Belizeans lined up outside the Salvation Army’s headquarters on Regent Street in the City. Christmas is one week away, but while many Belizeans shop and decorate and prepare to celebrate the season, many others are having a difficult time just putting food on the table for their families. It’s an indication of the very real poverty which affects a significant percentage of the population. Today, these persons will have food for their families, thanks to the Salvation Army and the generosity of corporate sponsors. Mike Rudon was there this morning and has the story.

Mike Rudon, Reporting

It doesn’t have anything to do with the Petrocaribe-funded Christmas cheer program, but it IS bringing some real cheer and light into the lives of those who need it most. Five hundred and fifty families will benefit from a Salvation Army initiative which gifts Belize City’s poorest residents with a Christmas package of basic food items. This morning they stood patiently in line to receive their goodies from an organization which gives selflessly and often.

Michelle Sandoval

Michelle Sandoval, Chairlady, Salvation Army

“When the Christmas appeal started, we were asking them to come in and register. They had to just bring in their ID, give their name and we just had to confirm that indeed they are elderly citizens and they have a need to receive the food hampers. We’re not giving it to any young person or any of that sort. That’s why you see when they come in, they bring their tickets, and they present it to us and we scratch them off the list that we have already created for them.”

The food was made possible through the generosity of corporate sponsors who provided the financing for the packages. Yellow Pages is one main sponsor, and so is the Atlantic Bank. And it’s not only signing a check – representatives from both were on hand this morning to hand over those basic necessities to those most in need.

Carlos Matus

Carlos Matus, Manager, Branches Operation, Atlantic Bank

“We got an invitation from the Salvation Army to participate in assisting them for their Christmas giveaways and one of the things with Atlantic Bank is that we don’t normally publicize a lot of the things that we do, but we do a lot of charity work and public relations behind the scene. There’s a lot of self-fulfilment in just seeing people being happy and in filling some of the needs that they have at this time of year.”

It is certainly not unusual to see the Salvation Army doing this type of work. They have become the champions for the poor and disadvantaged in the country. And while the food package will fill a critical need this Christmas, in reality the organization does this, and much more, every month.

Joliker Leandre

Major Joliker Leandre, Regional Commander, Salvation Army

“The Salvation Army has a continued program in the community where we have good parcel distribution which is done every month, and these individuals come and they register – they have expressed the need to receive such assistance and we have provided it through the gifts we receive from our donors. The need comes almost every day, because you might have today and tomorrow you don’t have. There are persons who just come because fire may have destroyed their house and they have lost everything. There are persons who may come because they just lost their job. So whatever we have, whatever we can share we are very happy to share with the general public.”

The packages contained basic items needed to provide a meal, including rice, beans, flour and cooking oil. Mike Rudon for News Five.