Salvation Army giving 1,500 hampers by Friday

The Salvation Army began handing out Christmas hampers on Monday at its offices on Henry Street, Port of Spain. The distribution will continue until Friday.

Salvation Army divisional leader Joliker Leandre said the hampers contained at least seven items, including flour, sugar, rice, oil, teabags and biscuits. He said while the price of the items varied depending on the supplier, the minimum value of each hamper was $200. The organisation hoped to give out 1,500 hampers over the four-day distribution period.

Coosal Construction Company CEO Sieunarine Coosal, who made a $50,000 contribution to the organisation in November, said it was an honour to be associated with the Salvation Army in giving back to the society.

“The Salvation Army has been in existence for over 100 years in Trinidad. They've really been doing good work. I got involved in the situation as much as I could but there are so many other people who contribute towards the Salvation Army. I’m glad to be able to support the work with the pandemic and with the need that is out there with the loss of jobs.”

He said more people have come forward for help over the past few months.

“With what is happening in the pandemic and people who are not employed, people are more in need, more and more people are coming forward for assistance, whether it's for their children, whether it's for hampers, whether it’s for laptops – which is a big drive that is taking place now.

"I think corporate TT is doing as much as it can in the circumstances to assist the needy in our society. Of course we will always want more corporate citizens and entities to come on board.”

Former First Lady Zalayhar Hassanali said it was a pleasure to give the hampers out each year.

“As you know, the Salvation Army got their funds mainly from Mr Coosal and from the kettle (fundraising campaign), and we were able to give hampers to all these people who are needy and those who come year after year.

"So it's a joy to do this every year and to help as many people as we can. Because of the covid we can't have everybody here today, so we just have a few today and we'll be having it over a period of four days.

"We hope you will have a good Christmas season and we hope that 2021 will be a better year for all of us.”