The rising tide of need in Bermuda has been swamping charities involved in community outreach.

One of the broadest charitable organisations is The Salvation Army, the movement whose volunteers agree they are not able to do all that they do without the donations from the Government, individuals, corporations and other organisations.

The Salvation Army uses $500,000 contributed by the Government to run the Housing Complex shelter at North Street, providing food and shelter for those in dire need. The government emergency housing complex is operated by the “Army”.

To run other outreach programmes that also involve food insecurity and addiction counselling, it has to raise another million dollars every year.

The Government provides an additional $50,000 through the Department of National Drug Control for the running of the Harbour Light Programme, a successful addiction treatment facility that itself costs about $700,000 to operate.

That eats heavily into the million dollars generally raised through the organisation’s annual Red Shield Appeal.

Captain Dennis Maybury, the regional public relations officer for The Salvation Army in Bermuda, concedes: “The need is growing. We see many people who are having difficulty with the price of food. It’s a big challenge, particularly when you see children in their school uniform coming to the feeding programme.

“It’s alarming that parents have to send them because they just don’t have enough.”

Businesses are not involved only in donations. Just like Bermuda’s schoolchildren, they are also a part of the volunteer effort, showing up to help in the distribution.

The church-based organisation’s army of 1,300 volunteers brings, somewhat quietly every year, a surprising amount of comfort to citizens on an island often hailed as one of the richest communities.

Captain Maybury said: “We are grateful for the corporate and individual donations and support we receive. We always need more. We need ongoing support. We’re doing the best we can with God’s help.”

The Salvation Army provides a 15-minute presentation to prospective donor corporations and organisations as an eye-opening primer on the needs in the community.

Here in Bermuda for nearly 130 years (1896), The Salvation Army is a “go-to” for those who are really struggling, even when emergency relief is required in cases of disaster, such as hurricanes, he said.

When the authorities permit, the Army bus has been used to literally collect people off wind-swept streets, Captain Maybury added.

There were nearly 50,000 approaches made to The Salvation Army in Bermuda for assistance in 2023. The street ministry outreach itself made 10,340 contacts, finding those who do not make it to the feeding programmes or grocery food providers.

About 7,442 shelter bed days were provided during the year, and more than 2,700 bed days for addiction services were needed.

The North Street Citadel feeding programme served nearly 21,000 individuals, Captain Maybury continued. The Citadel’s food bank programme served 673 households, usually a bag of groceries for a starving and desperate family.

The St George’s Corps food bank receives nearly 800 visits and the West End Community Church food bank receives about 730 visits.

The Harbour Light addictions treatment programme serves meals daily to residents. The Harbour Light Street Ministry vehicle serves food five days a week to anyone in need, Captain Maybury added.

At Christmastime, there are more than 8,000 visits for food, clothing and the distribution of Christmas hampers, involving family services.

Captain Maybury said the organisation accepts monetary donations of all sizes. Non-perishable food items also make an impact and there is a list of items that are always needed.

About 83 per cent of Bermuda donations go directly into the various community programmes.

• salvationarmy.bm/donate