Salvation Army in Bermuda Helps to Provide Healthy Food to Students
For the past couple of years, The Salvation Army’s Cedar Hill Citadel/church in Bermuda has partnered with Purvis Primary to support the school’s breakfast program. The hope is that this collaboration will develop into a close relationship between the Army and families of the students.
“We provide fruit for the school’s breakfast program. Our church members donate financially or give us physical produce throughout the whole year,” Lieutenant Amy Patrick, leader, explains.
“We provide fruit for the school’s breakfast program.”
The Salvation Army’s role is crucial to ensure that students whose families are struggling financially have access to healthy food before the start of class.
“Teachers are aware of which students are in complicated financial situations and they make sure they don’t go without breakfast,” says Lieutenant Amy. Ensuring students have nourishment helps them focus better on their learning.
Purvis Primary is located in the same neighbourhood as Cedar Hill. This was one of the main reasons the Salvation Army has additional motivation to contribute. The proximity makes it more personal.
“It’s our local school. Our church is on one side of the loop and they are in the other,” Lieutenant Amy says.
The ongoing partnership goes beyond the breakfast program. Some teachers at Purvis are members of the Salvation Army.
“We want to build intentional relationships with the school’s staff and the students.”
“One of the teachers mentioned that students love it when we bring them Halo oranges,” Lieutenant Amy shares. “We try to make a special effort if we can. If we know the children love certain fruits, we try to purchase those for them.”
Some of the students are also involved with the Salvation Army through a youth program called Messy Church. Connections made beyond the breakfast program are the end goal of building a partnership.
“We want to build intentional relationships with the school’s staff and the students. We are hoping to eventually be able to go to the school every week for a couple of hours to help in the classrooms in any way,” Lieutenant Amy says.
For the time being, Cedar Hill continues to focus on supporting the breakfast program.
“Having a healthy, hearty breakfast is a necessity. You need to meet someone’s basic needs before anything else,” Lieutenant Amy concludes.
By Juan Romero
