How The Salvation Army Brings People Together

In Bermuda, The Salvation Army provides a wide variety of assistance to people in need. This includes housing, food and spiritual support.

The Army’s location in St. George’s offers a food bank to which eligible guests can come monthly for food items. However, this process was becoming somewhat transactional, which inspired Lieutenant Almeta Ward, corps officer/pastor at St. George’s, to come up with a plan to make the process more social.

“Food bank recipients would come in, grab their bag, and be out the door. So, I said ‘We need to be doing something’,” Lieutenant Ward says.

Weekly Coffee Meet

 Volunteers began serving coffee and snacks encouraging guests to stay. While it took time for people to accept the invitation, the weekly coffee meet now sees around 20 guests.

“We sit around the table, and we have a conversation with them. They share what’s going on in their lives. It has been a chance for us to build that bridge between the volunteers, myself and the people from our community,” Lieutenant Ward adds.

Since the coffee meet’s popularity picked up, Lieutenant Ward is now recognized and greeted on the streets by clients that attend, which warms her heart.

The coffee meet has particularly benefitted single and older guests. Many of these clients live alone, so engaging with others each week gives them something to look forward to.

 Community Night

 Salvation Army volunteers at St. George’s aim to include all demographics and engage new generations with the Army. As part of this effort, a new initiative specifically targeted towards children has been launched.

Each month, the church hosts a “Community Night” where families can enjoy movies, games, crafts and snacks.

“Not many children were coming to our church so we wanted to make this feel like a welcoming place,” Lieutenant Ward says.

While all the activities are fun, education of values is incorporated in an entertaining and engaging way, whether it is through the movie they watch, or through the games they play.

Community night has proved to be enjoyable for parents as well.

“I’m finding that people bring their children, and they stay, which is perfect,” says Lieutenant Ward.

 Beyond Helping Clients

 Lieutenant Ward says that these new activities aimed to connect with the community have also helped volunteers of The Salvation Army get to know the people they serve. New volunteers are always welcome to join The Salvation Army. The more hands on deck, the more services the Army can provide.

Ultimately, these events are doing what they were meant for. They are bringing people closer.

“We want people to know that we are not only here to provide food, but also to build community,” Lieutenant Ward shares.

 By Juan Romero

For more information on programs and services visit: www.salvationarmy.bm.