In these difficult times, when budgets are tightened and meals get smaller, many people look to the churches for help.

While there are programmes in place to assist however they can, sometimes it's necessary to go outside of the routine and think on the bigger picture.

This is exactly what has happened since The MarketPlace has teamed up with the island's churches to combat hunger.

Ronnette Burgess of the Human Resources Department at Market Place explained: "This is all a part of the 'We Can Help' campaign. We've had how you can feed your family for $15, and this is just an extension of that programme."

The premise is simple: submit any MarketPlace receipt, no matter how much you spent, to the participating church of your choice. From now until April 30th, the churches will have the opportunity to submit those receipts and will get $1 for every $100 spent towards food vouchers. The church can then distribute those vouchers to needy parishioners and members of the community.

Many churches have already joined together to take part in this initiative. They include: The New Testament Church of God, AME, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Seventh-day Adventist and Salvation Army churches — just to name a few. Other congregations have come forward expressing an interest to participate, and MarketPlace is happy to see such a high level of interest.

"The community is begging for the churches to come together and do something to combat the negativity," explains Ms. Albertha Wade. "So much is happening with layoffs and cutbacks.

"Christmas was an excellent opportunity to see the real needs of the community and their ongoing problems. This is a chance for the churches and the community to help each other.

"It also helps the churches realise who needs help in their community. We're hoping the churches will take this and really use it to help make a positive change."

Bishop Lloyd Duncan of the New Testament Church of God says, "Sometimes the churches are criticised for not doing enough for the community.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to show the people of Bermuda that we do care and we are trying to help. In addition, it shows we can come together as different denominations and make a difference. We're reminding everyone when they are shopping to remember those less fortunate then themselves."

Canon Residentary Norman Lynas says: "Part of the good news is to bear your brothers' burden and extending help.

"This is a practical way to extend that help. In terms of retail, it's good to see that they (MarketPlace) have a social conscience and that they see there's a real need.

"They are giving something back to the community."

"Our main objective is to help as many people as possible," Ms. Wade states. "We will be going on the airwaves to reinforce how people can participate."

If you would like to participate, you can drop your receipts to any of the participating churches. Also, you can drop them in the mailbox at the Greater Smith Hill church. Some contacts of participating churches are:

Bishop Lloyd Duncan (New Testament Church of God)

Rev. Malcolm Eve (AME)

Canon Residentary Norman Lynas (Anglican)

Pastor Ulric Hetsberger (Seventh-day Adventist)

Major Alfred Wilson (Salvation Army)

If you would like to make your church a part of this campaign, please contact Ms. Ronnette Burgess at MarketPlace on 296-2955.

Or greatersmithhill@logic.bm.