homeless to coincide with its annual Red Shield Appeal.

A new building on North Street will not be in use for about a month, but it was officially opened on Tuesday this week as the Army launched its May campaign to raise $250,000.

Last year, the Salvation Army met its Red Shield goal of more than $220,000, divisional secretary Major Gilbert St. Onge said. But with demand for services continuing to grow, the Army had to set a higher goal this year.

Some 52,990 meals were served at the Army's emergency housing in 1992, up 11.6 percent from the 47,500 meals served in 1990.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan, a former trustee of the Salvation Army board, heaped praise on the organisation before he snipped a ribbon to open the new prefabricated hostel.

"When I first became Premier, the first thing I was confronted with was people in the Pembroke Marsh'' and living in dilapidated cars, Sir John said.

"All through our community, this need of the needy was not being met.'' The Premier said he turned to the Salvation Army for help. "They didn't hesitate,'' he said. "They simply said yes.'' While the Salvation Army has given and continues to give, "it's now time for us to give to them,'' Sir John said. He then produced a $100 bill to get the Red Shield Appeal rolling.

The building was donated to the Salvation Army by the family of Mr. Tom Usher and his company Novatek Ltd. It was shipped to the Island from Florida a few weeks ago.

As the Salvation Army band played, Mr. George Usher, the son of Mr. Tom Usher, helped plant a small cedar tree outside the shelter to commemorate the opening. And Health and Social Services Minister the Hon.

Quinton Edness helped unveil a plaque inside.

Major St. Onge said the new building, which will increase the number of Army beds for the homeless to about 100, "is a dream come true.'' The shelter is about "more than just giving food and clothing and shelter,'' he said. "We do it in the name of Jesus Christ so that people might be renewed not only in their body, but in their spirit and their soul.'' The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical branch of the Christian church.

Bermuda Red Shield Appeal donations go toward emergency welfare programmes, day care centres, family services, camping programmes, alcoholism recovery, personal and family counselling, senior citizen programmes, and emergency housing, among others.

BRANCHING OUT -- The Salvation Army, which launched its Red Shield Appeal this week, is about to open 22 new beds for the homeless. Planting a tree to commemorate the opening of the new shelter are (from left) Divisional Commander Major Elmer Pavey, Harbour Light and Emergency Shelters administrator Capt. Max Barrett, Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan, Mr. George Usher representing the donor, Health and Social Services Minister the Hon.

Quinton Edness, and territorial public relations secretary Lieut. Col. Mel Bond. (See story above).