Salvation Army will provide hampers in RR this Christmas

Ken Johnston
Editor

Despite rumours to the contrary the army is coming to Rainy River this Christmas.
Captain Angel Sandoval, of the Salvation Army in Fort Frances said that initially he had received no response from Rainy River with regards to letters he posted in early November asking for support for the annual Christmas Hamper campaign in the west end of the district. With no replies and a severe shortage of donations towards the hampers, it did look like the needy in this area would be left without this Christmas.
However, he did finally establish contact with employees at the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines office in Rainy River. They have played host to both the applications and as a picked up point for the hampers for at least the past 20 years. Capt. Sandoval said that while the applications were late getting down to Rainy River they have been distributed and he expects between 20 and 30 hampers will be distributed in the area.
However, he noted that donations to the hamper program are down by about 75% over past years and the Salvation Army is in desperate need of cash donations. “It costs about $180 per hamper,” said Sandoval. He noted that if the donations do not pick up the hampers will be reduced in size accordingly.
Sandoval said that he has heard from some regular donors to the program that they feel it is being abused by people. With that in mind he says he does not blame people for being reluctant to donate this year. However, he has personally begun a cleanup of the process, noting that a more rigorous screening process of applicants has been implemented this year. “Of the 350 applications we had in Fort Frances we determined that 35 were abusing it.” Each applicant has to provide a health card number, have a fixed address, supply annual income data and social worker contact information.
In one case in Fort Frances it was discovered a person making $4,000 per month had applied for a hamper. Obviously they do not qualify as needing a hamper.
With word that the Salvation Army was short of donations several Rainy River churches and charitable groups have rallied to the cause. Riverview School sent 457 non-perishable food items to the Salvation Army last week. Some churches also collected food items and groups like the legion have agreed to make a financial contribution.
Capt. Sandoval, who just started at the Salvation Army in Fort Frances five months ago, said that in addition to the screening process which has been beefed up, he will also be personally visiting all those who receive hampers this year to assess their needs.
“We are trying to help those who truly need our help. With the good heart of the people and the help of God we will provide that help,” said Sandoval.
Applications for hampers in Rainy River were due last Friday. However, anyone with special circumstances can contact MNDM at 852-3287 and they can forward the application to the Salvation Army by Wednesday. The hampers will arrive in Rainy River on the 23rd.
Anyone wishing to make a financial donation can do so at MNDM and the Salvation Army will send them a receipt for tax purposes.