By Kisean Joseph
Hundreds of residents lined the streets surrounding the Salvation Army Citadel yesterday as the organisation launched its annual Christmas hamper distribution programme, aiming to provide essential supplies to nearly 1,000 families across the twin island nation.
With the inclusion of the sister island of Barbuda for the first time, 2024 marks a significant expansion in the programme’s 60-year history, making it the largest distribution to date.
Major Jean Raymoncil Pierre, district leader of the Salvation Army in Antigua, St Kitts, and St Martin, outlined the three-day distribution plan.
“Today is our annual distribution and we are looking to distribute 500 packages today, and tomorrow we’ll be distributing an additional 375 packages and then, on Friday, we’ll be going to Barbuda where we’ll be distributing an additional 75 packages. In total, that’s 950 packages for this year’s Christmas hampers distribution.”
The distribution began with a brief service inside the Citadel, where recipients participated in singing and meditation before receiving their packages.
“We have been getting contributions so we have to give God thanks for all the contributions that we have received,” Pierre explained. The service included the Governor General’s greeting and was designed to be brief yet meaningful for participants.
To manage the large crowds efficiently, the organisation implemented a systematic distribution approach. “After the first 100 packages will be given on the inside, the additional 400 will be given where they walk from Long Street and come out on Church Street, which is very fast,” Major Pierre said.
While the Citadel can only accommodate 250 people, the turnout exceeded expectations with nearly 500 people waiting outside.
The Salvation Army’s approach to assistance remains notably inclusive, focusing on helping anyone in genuine need rather than applying strict criteria. “I always say the needy because somebody might be in need. Somebody lost their job and at the moment may not have anything,” Pierre explained. “We don’t question persons. We just leave everyone to their conscience so they know that they are in need and they show up, and we assist them the best that we can.”
This year’s distribution is part of the organization’s broader humanitarian mission, which follows its historic motto: “Soup, Soap, Salvation.” Major Pierre emphasized their holistic approach to community service, “We don’t believe that we can preach to a hungry belly. We have to make sure that the physical is well taken care of and then we could approach with the spiritual, which is very important to us.”
The Salvation Army has adopted “I will support” as this year’s theme, encouraging community members to contribute in whatever way they can.
“It doesn’t matter how small your contribution is and it doesn’t have to be monetary,” Major Pierre said. “If you have a pack of rice, you have a pack of corn meal, you want to donate it, you can always come because when five [people] come with five different items, we can put it together and give to an individual.”
The Christmas hamper distribution will continue on Thursday before concluding in Barbuda on Friday.
