No wonder the Sunshine Coast is one of the best places to live in the world. Who else exhibits the community involvement that we do? To answer that question, one need look no further than Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk and Sechelt Mayor Darren Inkster.
Both mayors helped kick off this year's Salvation Army Christmas kettle campaign on Thursday, Nov. 26, by making the first donations at Gibsons MarketPlace IGA and at Trail Bay Mall.
"I've heard that the communities on the Sun-shine Coast are very generous and it's not hard to see why when our leaders are so keen to lend their support," said Salvation Army kettle co-ordinator Rob Henson.
All monies raised from this campaign will go to support a number of programs the Salvation Army offers to its community including a food bank, daily bread and produce, a bi-weekly feeding program, vouchers for clothing, furniture and household items, a shelter service in extreme weather conditions, pro bono legal consultation, emergency disaster relief and support for community recovery groups.
The Salvation Army realizes that without the assistance from its community, none of these services could be offered to residents who are in need on the Sunshine Coast.
The Salvation Army reports that the need for its services has risen 10 to 30 per cent on a national level.
"Locally, food bank usage has dramatically increased since the onset of the recession and utilization of our meals program is at full capacity," said Family Services co-ordinator Matthew Hardman.
There is no doubt that the unstable economic situation has taken its toll and its effects are extremely evident on the Sunshine Coast. This is where the community's help is urgently needed.
Volunteers are required to fill 588 kettle shifts. Each shift is only two hours. The kettles are located at Gibsons Marketplace IGA, London Drugs, Canadian Tire, Extra Foods in Sechelt and Trail Bay Mall.
If you are able to support the Salvation Army in this way contact Henson at 604-886-3680, 604-740-6228 or email kettlecoordinator@tsaonthecoast.com in order to give your preferred time and location.
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