With the month of May comes the Salvation Army’s “Red Shield Appeal.” This year, there is urgency to our appeal that cries out for the community’s assistance.
The Red Shield Appeal is the one big donation drive that supports our entire year’s ministry.
Community support for this drive is crucial—not only to the health and quality of the ministry and service we are able to provide, but also to sustain our continued efforts in this district.
Without your support, our doors may be closed.
It is not time to take the presence of the Salvation Army in our district for granted. We need your help!
This year, our costs for groceries and utilities have risen, as yours have. Each month, we struggle with the rising costs of hydro and the basic supplies necessary to be able to give even the most fundamental support to those in need.
Last year, we served more than 600 families. Each family consists of between two and eight people, and the most basic assistance costs to the Salvation Army are between $60 and $100.
This cost is elevated with the size of the family in need. It costs between $2,000-3,000 a month to sustain the food bank.
With the cost of living increasing, so does the need for assistance. Making ends meet, in many homes, is becoming difficult to impossible.
We, as a church and as a social ministry, long to have the means to continue to meet those who reach out to us in need in a loving and caring fashion.
The Salvation Army opened its doors in Fort Frances in August, 1914 and has been faithfully serving the community and district ever since.
Let’s all work together to see that this ministry continues to reflect what a caring and supportive community Fort Frances and Rainy River District is. When receiving your “Red Shield Appeal” letter, or when greeted by a canvassing volunteer, please give generously.
You also may drop your gifts off to us at the Corps (either at the Thrift Store, Family Services, or to Capts. Angel or Marlene Sandoval personally).
Please note on your cheques “Fort Frances Ministries, Red Shield Appeal” to be sure it is directed to the proper direction in our work. Or mail your donation to the Salvation Army, 316 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2C2.
Please note on your envelope and cheque: “Red Shield Appeal.”
Volunteers still are needed to cover the Fort Frances canvass area. If you can give an afternoon to take a nice walk, greeting your neighbours and helping the Salvation Army continue its ministry, pleases contact Capts. Angel or Marlene Sandoval, or Mrs. Stacy Gosman, at 274-3871.
We once again are considering putting together a community board of advisors.
This board will assist the Corps officers in making decisions which specifically address the needs of our community and will help us to serve the entire district more effectively.
It also will help us to recognize the diversity of our population when structuring our various ministry programs.
If anyone is interested in sharing as a voice for the community, contact Capt. Angel at 274-3871 or e-mail him at salamry@jam21.net
Let us continue to work together to lift up those who find themselves facing hard times in our district.
We thank all those who think of us when being touched to donate either clothing or goods to the Thrift Store., food items to the food bank, or monetary donations which help to keep us a viable ministry of love and service in this district.
Allow me to thank you in advance for your generous support of our ministries. God bless you until your cup is full to overflowing. We look forward to many more years in Salvation Army service to the communities of Rainy River District.
“This service you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people, but is overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”
—2 Corinthians 9:12
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
