The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Salvation Army yesterday revealed Christmas donations have declined this year despite launching collections at new locations with donor numbers remaining unchanged.

Roodolph Meo, its Bahamas divisional commander, told Tribune Business that this year’s donations have been smaller compared to previous years even though more kettle-bell sites have opened around New Providence. “We are now at the Meat Max on Carmichael Road, John Bull in the Harbour Bay Plaza, as well as the Commonwealth Bank on Cable Beach,” he added.

Some former locations have been “cancelled”, but the major sites such as at the Mall at Marathon and Super Value Golden Gates are still high-traffic areas for donations. “The civic clubs are also helping the Salvation Army and kettling for us, and have been doing so around Nassau. That has been very profitable for us,” Mr Meo said.

“I think we are still dealing with the economic crisis, and I’ve seen a drop in the amount given, but not basically in the amount of the givers. It has reduced drastically, but they still give us something anyway. It’s not that some of the givers will stop, but I know they will give as much as they can, which we really appreciate and we’re grateful for.”

The Salvation Army also reminded Bahamians that their donations finance its social assistance initiatives year-round, not just at Christmas time, as it has a daily feeding programme to fund at its Mackey Street headquarters.

Mr Meo added: “This is what I would want people to understand. When you’re giving a donation to the Salvation Army during this Christmas season, this is what will help us to carry out and to maintain our programmes throughout the year, because it is the only major fundraising that we do across the world.”

The Salvation Army also has monthly parcel distributions which service an average 150 households per month. “We believe in helping the people, and whatever the amount it is, it goes towards that. I really want to encourage the people to support the Salvation Army. We don’t blow our own trumpet but there is a lot that has been going on,” Mr Meo said.