Constant need to help others: Salvation Army

• 40 per cent increase in demand for services
• Job loss and sickness are key issues

The Salvation Army’s 2021 Christmas Kettle Campaign saw a great deal of support from the community, but the organization is well aware that demand for their services is a constant thing.

Both the kettle and letter campaigns last year raised over $813,000 helping over 800 families, including 1,200 children.

“We are absolutely pleased with the results of our kettle and letter campaign, and we surpassed our goal and we believe we’ll be able to go forward this year helping the people of Kelowna,” said Lead Pastor Mark Wagner in thanking the generosity of the community.

Wagner said demand for services in 2021 were up 40 per cent and believes that will continue.

“It never goes away during the year. There’s a constant need for people to come to us and get some help,” he said. “I don’t see the need going down because of the inflationary pressures, and because we don’t know what the next disaster will be. Will there be more floods, fires? It’s very difficult to know.”

He adds the pandemic will almost certainly remain a key factor in people’s lives because of job losses, reduced income in families, and therefore major pressures on trying to put food on the table.

“It presses down on us constantly, people have lost their jobs, people get very sick. That is another aspect that doesn’t get front and center in terms of food supply, but it’s definitely there,” he said.

Anyone interested in volunteering or donating to The Salvation Army can visit their website.