It's more than soup and a sandwich, said Salvation Army Community Social Worker Lionel Cann it's also a smile or some words of wisdom when a person has nowhere else to turn.

The Salvation Army's feeding programme has provided the Island's needy with nourishment and encouragement for almost 12 years. It currently services 30 to 40 homeless people a night; and has 100 volunteers from various churches and corporations, who operate on a rotational basis.

As part of our Dare To Care campaign, which aims to encourage people to claim back the community by helping others, The Royal Gazette accompanied Mr. Cann and volunteers Brenda Dalida, Julian Kinghorn, Lyco Calcado and Rema Del Rosario on a weeknight service, and saw at first hand what the experience was like.

For Ms Del Rosario, an accountant at Citigroup, being in close contact with the Island's homeless has taught her not be fearful of them.

"I used to be scared of the homeless people," she said. "But since I've been doing this I'm not scared anymore. I usually speak to them when I see them on the streets, I'm not sure if they remember me though."

The experience has also taught her not to judge people based solely on their appearance. "It doesn't matter what's on the outside, these people may look scary, but inside they actually want someone to talk to, someone to care for them," she said.

"I've learnt it's actually good to reach out. Sometimes you make a difference in their lives, but you find out they are actually making a difference in yours."

The 90-minute soup run involved various stops along Front, Church and Court streets, where the homeless and needy gathered.

While Mr. Cann talked with the homeless and provided them with blankets and warm jackets for the cold nights, Ms Del Rosario and the other volunteers poured soup and handed-out sandwiches.

Mr. Kinghorn, who was volunteering with the Soup Run for the first time that night, said the experience opened his eyes.

It's all too easy to go about ordinary life and not see how many people are in need of a little help or a meal, he said, adding: "It was a good night, it was very interesting.

He continued: "It's amazing how much time some people put in, it's quite admirable. It's easy to chuck a few dollars into their can or a charity box, but it's nothing like coming out and helping for yourself."

Volunteer Ms Calcado, who has been doing the soup run since June, got involved with Salvation Army through her church.

She is a Christian and believes it is important to try and see the good in everyone. "No matter how they look or if they are intoxicated, it doesn't matter, they are still human beings," Ms Calcado said.

She added: "The experience is unbelievable, in a way that humbles me and keeps me grateful for the things I have. It's a great way to meet people and it's heart-warming.

"Like Mr. Cann says, it's more than just a soup and a sandwich, people just need warmth in any way they can get. And this is a simple way to do that."

Mr. Cann, the heart and soul of the weekday night service, got out of the van at each stop to shake hands and talk momentarily with Hamilton's needy.

He explained: "I give them encouraging words and hope that some aspect of encouragement will get them to move off the street.

"Some do, but it takes some time, maybe two to three years. Others don't."

He also made special deliveries for a man living in the bushes and an 80-year-old woman living on her own.

Some of the homeless people spoke about the service, which is often times the only nourishment they get for the day.

A 48-year-old man, who asked to remain annonymous, said: "First of all without the Salvation Army a man that is truly homeless and has no outlet to get anything to eat, he is in serious trouble.

'This has been a hard year because people are not wasting as much food, which means I go hungry if the Salvation Army doesn't come."

A 55-year-old needy man said he was no longer living on the streets, but needed the programme from time to time. He said: "The Salvation Army is a good foundation for a lot of people that can't make it and at the end of the day need something in their stomach."

Another man gratefully accepted the meal and said: "It's very important because I live by myself, I have a fixed income, but I don't always have enough money for food."

Mr. Cann and the volunteers carry out the service six days a week, except Sundays. To find out more information or volunteer your services call 292-0601.