They are the silent army working to assist those who have fallen between the cracks.

Being down on your luck could easily happen to any one of us but on such a rich, beautiful island we tend to ignore the homeless, as if it couldn't happen here.

This year however, as the global recession starts to pinch, it is expected more individuals and families will need the help of the Salvation Army than ever before.

Already Major Doug Lewis, Divisional Commander, is witnessing a rise in demand for services, with those in need also getting younger and younger.

He feels that this is why it is especially important for us to follow the Salvation Army philosophy of looking out for one's neighbour and being "our brother's brother".

Next month will see the launch of the charity's annual 'Red Shield Appeal', one of its two main fund-raisers, the other being the Christmas Appeal.

Maj. Lewis is asking people to be as generous as they can as the Army is expecting an increase in demand for its services. Not only will corporate donations thin down due to companies tightening their belts, but Government is also expected to trim its budget.

"We are anticipating the dollars will be tighter this year but at the same time we've noticed a spike in the need for our services, so we are hoping people will respond," said Maj. Lewis.

"The challenge will be to keep up with this demand. Already we are noticing line-ups at the shelters and feeding programmes, and more people coming to Family Services.

"However, the public has responded in the past so we have every confidence they will come through again and provide us with the funds we need for these programmes."

Maj. Lewis described the work of the Salvation Army as being the "hands and feet" of the community in helping those less fortunate.

"It takes a special person to work with this segment of the population, so by giving us these funds we can go on their behalf," he said.

"We are not our brother's keeper, we are our brother's brother, and this is not a handout but a hand-up. We want to come alongside and help these people to discover there is a better way and a better lifestyle. We do what we can to help them to get to that stage, as contributing members of society."

Maj. Lewis said the May fund-raiser will consist primarily of a letter-drop to 4,000 homes but there is also a tag day at the end of the month.

"We are appealing to the public to donate out of concern for their fellow man, out of concern for their neighbour and the man in the street.

"In view of the economic situation we know demand is increasing but we don't know who it is going to effect, so it falls on all of us to look out for our neighbour as well as ourselves."

This year the Army needs $1.8 million just to undertake a 'maintenance' budget in running its programmes. About $900,000 of that will come from Government, and $200,000 from the charity's own reserves. The remaining $700,000 is down to the generosity of corporations and individuals.

Maj. Lewis, a former accountant from Toronto, Canada, hopes to balance the books but also increase the number of counsellors and services.

Last year the Army aimed for a $600,000 budget but succeeded in raising another $200,000. As a result it was able to expand its Harbour Lights addiction programme with another two counsellors, bringing the total to five. Alcohol and drug counselling is now available to non-residents on weekends and evenings.

The Harbour Lights programme accommodates ten people and lasts between three and six months. About 30 people graduate each year.

"We have a success rate of almost 100 percent for people being clean for a year after they have left, which is excellent," said Maj. Lewis.

"We attribute that to having a follow-up programme which allows us to keep in touch with the client and their families."

Despite a surplus from last year's funding, the global economic crisis is already hitting home.

"The number of people on our feeding programme in particular, has increased," said Maj. Lewis.

The numbers have doubled from 30 to 40 people seeking a hot meal, to 60 to 80.

Demand for food from the mobile canteen has also risen.

"The numbers have increased from the forties to approximately 100 people a day now," he said. "And we've noticed the average age is lowering, it's not the older street people but younger people attending now.

"Over the last year we've noticed people coming to us who we refer to as the 'working poor'. This is typically a single guy who pays the rent but doesn't have a lot left over to feed himself with or pay the bills.

"It is predominately men but there are some women, and we're getting younger people in their twenties and thirties now.

"We've also noticed more adults are living in the same house. Over the last six or seven months we've noticed families are starting to move back in together."

Maj. Lewis said the Salvation Army aims to effect "relationship building".

"We try to build up a friendship to find out why people are on the street, whether it's drug or alcohol abuse, or a lack of skills or education,' he said. "Then we try and walk them through a system as part of a continuum of care.

"We don't just feed and house them in emergency accommodation but hope to channel them into the assistance and care they need.

"We are like a stopgap, in between social assistance from Government and society. We try to bridge the gap but also take them to the next step. A lot of the time it's referring them on to Government agencies and bodies where they can qualify for assistance."

Maj. Lewis, 62, said: "The work we do is important because a lot of the individuals we deal with have fallen between the cracks.

"And we not only deal with alcohol and drug abuse but mental problems too. Some of the homeless don't want to be institutionalised, they see their home as on the street so you can't put them in MAWI or our emergency housing complex."

Maj. Lewis said there were still "some blocks missing" from the Army's range of services.

"It's affordable housing or transitional housing which is missing in our society," he said.

The Salvation Army in Bermuda has 43 employees who are assisted by hundreds of volunteers.

"We really enjoy our work. But it can be tough it's dealing with problems and issues which can be taxing at times," said Maj. Lewis.

"Even though Bermuda is a wealthy society, it is not excused from the ills of society and we do have a soft underbelly. We have to make people aware that there are people in need here."

l Bank staff donate more than 90 boxes for food for the needy – Story, Page 6