The difficulties facing the local Salvation Army has prompted a local business to get involved and throw a fundraiser.
Instaloans, a money brokering company, is organizing a barbecue on Wednesday, June 28 from noon-2 p.m. at the Salvation Army to help the organization raise funds after its annual Red Shield Appeal fell short last month.
“We wanted to do something for the community,” said Annely Armstrong, manager of Instaloans at 540 King’s Highway.
The staff chose the Salvation Army when they read a story in the Times back on May 31 telling of its financial plight.
“We’ve kind of taken the Salvation Army on as our pet project,” Armstrong said.
Staff who want to wear jeans on Mondays donate $3, which will go to the Salvation Army. They also have a box in the office for non-perishable food donations.
The barbecue is the first event they’ve planned.
Armstrong noted Einar’s, Wal-Mart, Safeway, and Cloverleaf Shop Easy all have donated hamburgers, hotdogs, and buns while Ainsworth Barwick is lending a barbecue.
“We’re going to try to come up with things we can do each month between now and December,” Armstrong pledged.
They currently are planning another food drive to encourage people with gardens to plant an extra row of vegetables for canning to donate to the Salvation Army food bank.
“It’s something anybody can do,” Armstrong said. “It’s so easy to donate a jar or two when you’re canning already.”
The support is desperately needed. Capt. Angel Sandoval said the final tally for the Red Shield campaign only was about $7,400—nearly $10,000 short of its $17,000 goal.
The original goal had been $33,000, until the Salvation Army in Winnipeg contributed $16,000 when it became clear the local office would not reach its goal.
“It’s frustrating,” Capt. Sandoval admitted. “We’re human beings. We’re supposed to help each other.
“We don’t blame anybody,” he added.
The Red Shield campaign is the only one that raises funds for the day-to-day operations of the Salvation Army office here.
“If we don’t have enough, we have to lay people off or cut down programs,” Capt. Sandoval said.
For now, he will look at programs that can be reduced or eliminated in order to stay within their limited budget.
“We have to say no to some of the people who come to our doors looking for help,” he lamented. “It’s a heart-breaking situation.”
Capt. Sandoval added the Thrift Store is taking donations of clean, gently used clothing, but asked that people not drop off unsold items from garage sales.
“The more we give to those in need, the more blessings we receive,” he said.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
