’Tis the summer season for giving.

by British Columbia
Categories: Feature
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Those involved with the North Shore Salvation Army are working to disseminate the message that need knows no season.

Representatives have launched a Christmas in July Campaign, intended to express their gratitude for the generous outpouring of support related to their annual Christmas Kettle Campaign, while at the same time raise awareness of the ongoing need faced by the organization in serving community members year-round. "The reality is the funds that come at Christmas time generally only last about half the year for the need that's in the community and so we're just trying to remind the public that there's still need for support but also (give) a huge thank you for everything that people have given so far because we've been able to help so many people," says Lt. Bethany Dueck, Corps Officer / Pastor and Director of the North Shore Salvation Army located at 12th and Lonsdale in North Vancouver.

Some of the work undertaken by the local Salvation Army so far this year, thanks to community support, includes the distribution of 3,070 fresh food baskets, the serving of 1,020 hot community meals, the giving of 120 free haircuts, clothing vouchers and hearing tests, and the distribution of toy and food hampers to 45 families at Christmas and 28 food hampers to families at Easter. The organization also offers church services and spiritual support, a children's program and is presenting a children's day camp in late August at a cost of $10 per child. "We just have a caring heart to give to people and so we just want to be able to continue to do what we feel like we're meant to do in this community, and called to do," says Dueck. Financial donations can be dropped off in person or mailed in. "Anything that comes locally here, we give back into the community.

Any support or anything like that, we make sure it stays within this community," she says. Other ways to support the organization include through its frozen meals program, offering affordable and healthy options at a low-price to people in need, as well as community members at large. "Anyone buying them actually helps support us because if they buy the meals then it helps go back into what we're able to do in the community," says Dueck. The North Shore Salvation Army is presenting a fundraising barbecue onsite, Aug. 14 at 11:30 a.m. "Anyone can come . . . . They can get their lunch and also at the same time support what we're doing by donating," she says.

The Salvation Army is always looking for community members to volunteer their time in support of its various services and programs. For more information, visit northshoresalvationarmy.com  

* Story from North Shore News