Help the Salvation Army feed the masses during lockdown

The Salvation Army is asking the public to help it answer the many calls for food assistance it has been receiving since the start of the lockdown in South Africa.

Major Carin Holmes, PR Secretary of The Salvation Army’s Southern Africa territory said an increasing number of hungry people are contacting the organisation for food relief. “As most of us are aware, many people have lost their jobs and simply do not have sufficient income to put food on the table for their families. This is in addition to people who didn’t have jobs when the lockdown was announced. As a Church that is well known for its practical support for those in need, we have a lot of experience in running emergency food programmes, such as soup kitchens. For example, The Salvation Army is currently feeding 900 homeless people in three camps in Tshwane twice a day. We have been funding this outreach ourselves, and are desperately in need of financial assistance to continue to do so.”

Major Holmes added that the Church’s hotline, 08000RESCU, has been overwhelmed during the lockdown by calls for help in respect of food, and gender violence in particular. “We know that everybody is experiencing difficulty at this time. As a Church, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in caring for our brothers and sisters. You can become partners with us by making a contribution, however small, to The Salvation Army,” she added.

Members of the public can deposit contributions directly into the bank account of The Salvation Army. Details: Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal, First National Bank Braamfontein, branch code 251905, account number 50540087604. Please use your name and Covid-19 as a reference.

Companies wishing to contribute in kind are asked to contact Major Holmes on 082 994 4351.