A charity helping people weather the financial storm expects it will soon need more cash than ever to cover a growing demand for its services.The Salvation Army saw the need for its annual holiday assistance programme last December grow by nearly 300 over the previous year. Major Shawn Critch, Divisional Commander of the charity, anticipates the need for its services will peak in about four to six months’ time.The charity relies heavily on Government’s financial support of $875,000 and has budgeted to receive the same amount for the current fiscal year.Any cut announced in Premier Paula Cox’s Budget tomorrow would carry a negative impact, Major Critch said.The Government grant helps fund major programmes including the residential addiction treatment centre Harbour Light, the Community Life Skills Recovery Programme and the Emergency Housing Complex.“Government continues to be a significant financial partner in support of three of our social programmes. Any reduction in funding will require us to seriously look at our capacity to make up the shortfall.“Having just worked through our organisational budget plan for 2011-12 we have already planned for increased costs in the Community and Family Services as well as our homeless feeding programmes.“Obviously any reduction in Government funding will carry a negative impact. We have already realised that we need to raise $1 million during our 2011-12 fiscal year in order to maintain funding levels to our programmes.”This is the highest amount the charity has ever had to raise and represents a 15 percent increase over last year, Major Critch said. He was hopeful that, with help from the public and the corporate community, the fundraising goal would be possible.But he added: “It is difficult to comment on whether it is reasonable to expect to raise more than that in today’s economic climate.“As a charitable organisation we have a responsibility of sound fiscal management balanced with sustainable social programmes that have been designed to meet specific community needs.“It is my hope that we will be able to at least maintain the current level of funding from Government and look to the corporate community for additional funding for specific programmes that may be implemented to alleviate some of the impact of the recession on individuals and families.”Many of the charity’s programmes have seen a rise in demand since the recession began.Community and Family Services programme manager Lynn Gordon said there has been an increase in the number of single black males and families asking for help. The soup run programme and Salvation Army Thrift Store continue to serve similar numbers.Major Critch said: “People are responding to the reality of the recession in different ways.“I suspect individual responses today will change over the next few months as the opportunity for employment becomes more challenging and personal safety nets financial, emotional, family supports are weakened.“The recession will take its toll. If, depending on the specific needs, we are unable to offer the help people are needing then we will work to refer individuals and families to other agencies that might be able to assist.”He said there were mixed moods within the community, with some remaining hopeful they will bounce back and others struggling to find stability.Major Critch said the mood could change from day to day, depending on individual and family circumstances. He added: “We see a mixture of employed and unemployed, male and female. The majority are local Bermudians who struggle to make ends meet.“For some their reality is a personal choice for others they are a victim of circumstances and the recession. “Regardless of employment status, racial background, and gender The Salvation Army is committed to serving each person with dignity and respect.”Useful website: www.salvationarmy.ca/bermuda/