The Salvation Army has seen a 19-per-cent increase in the number of people who have visited this year because of delayed wages as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, people listing homelessness as their reason for visits has doubled since 2019, and things won’t be easing any time soon. The Salvation Army has seen the number of people needing support skyrocket almost five times over last year in some locations across the country.
It is a worrying and unprecedented jump not seen since the Second World War by the organization, said a news release from The Salvation Army. As the coronavirus continues to impact lives, it is expected that the need for support will continue to grow in the coming months. As the urgency increases, The Salvation Army is set to launch its 2020 Christmas Kettle Campaign – the organization’s largest public fundraising drive of the year.
“This year, we see evidence that the people we serve are struggling like never before,” says Lt-Colonel John P. Murray, spokesperson for The Salvation Army. “We refuse to let the pandemic steal their Christmas joy. That’s why The Salvation Army is providing those in need with food, shelter and other essentials. We need the help and support of Canadians who can donate more now than ever.”
In Sudbury, the campaign has a fundraising goal of $255,000. Every donation to a Christmas kettle in Sudbury remains in Sudbury, to support local needs. Last year, the campaign raised more than $217,000, and The Salvation Army Sudbury Community and Family Services helped more than 5,400 people, providing 1,539 households with food, clothing or practical help, assisting 951 households with Christmas food hampers and 1,022 children with toys for Christmas morning.
The Salvation Army will kick off its kettle campaign on Nov. 19 during the Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers meeting. Beyond donating to The Salvation Army’s Christmas kettles, FilltheKettle.com, a Salvation Army mobile site, will enable donors to give through their mobile devices or computers.
The Christmas Kettle Campaign enables The Salvation Army to provide practical assistance to hundreds of families and individuals in Sudbury who have met with hard times.
This year, the food bank has remained open five days a week throughout this pandemic and has seen a significant increase in need, said The Salvation Army, which is now preparing to provide Christmas Hampers and toys to over 1,000 households.
Each year, The Salvation Army Sudbury relies on the support of hundreds of kettle workers who volunteer their time and energy to collect donations at each of the kettle locations. Members of the Sunrisers have volunteered to staff all the kettles across the city for four hours on the first day of kettles on Friday, Nov. 20.
Donations to the 2020 Christmas Kettle Campaign can also be made in person or by mail at 634 Notre Dame Ave., Sudbury, ON P3C 5L2.
