NASSAU, Bahamas ? Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc. has made a $25,000 donation to The Salvation Army of The Bahamas to support its three feeding centres, which have experienced a sharp rise in the number of people seeking assistance during these tough economic times.

"This gift from the Lyford Cay Foundation has made a world of difference to us," said Major Lester Ferguson, the Army's Divisional Commander. "We've been struggling since late last summer to keep up with the demand to supply our cooked meals and groceries for families in need, here on Mackey Street and also in Grants Town and Freeport. This donation means that we've been able to add not only to the quality of the food parcels that we give, but also to the quantity, so it's making a great difference."

As a result of the gift, the two centres in New Providence have increased the number of free hot lunches and food parcels they distribute each week from approximately 500 to more than 600, according to Madeline Froning, the Army's Community Relations and Development Associate. In Grand Bahama ? where the pantry was empty for a time last year ? more than 100 parcels have been given out since the grant was made. The food packages range in size and are designed to serve an individual or family for up to two weeks.

"In the past, if our food pantry was empty and we had nothing to give, we had nothing to give," said Ms. Froning. "It's an ongoing struggle to maintain this programme, so that's why this grant is so important, because it allows us to stock our food pantries on a more regular basis."

According to Major Ferguson, the feeding centres have not only seen a rise in the demand for their services, but also a change in the kinds of individuals asking for help.

"Previously the people we assisted would be the unemployed, or elderly folk," he said. "Last year we started to see those numbers increasing, but we also saw people who were employed who just needed a bag of groceries to tide them through the week. So since the end of the summer last year, we saw the numbers just keep rising, and they really haven't stopped. And we're finding more and more persons who need help, including some who drive their cars on their way home from work and stop by to see if they can get something to get them through a couple of days."

The Lyford Cay Foundation's Gifts and Grants Committee has disbursed more than $10 million to a wide range of non-profit organizations to date. This year, given the difficult economic climate, the Committee is concentrating on addressing people's most fundamental needs, including food, clothing and shelter. And instead of waiting for grant applications to come in, the Committee has been reaching out to groups who specialize in these areas to find out how best to help.

"We approached the Salvation Army and explained that because of the circumstances right now, we feel a responsibility to focus on basic human needs, and we know that they have a system in place to provide resources to those who need them the most," said Suzy Robinson, Committee Chair. "Because they are a reliable organization that already has a programme in place, they were the perfect people to approach, and we are honoured to be able to support the great work that they do."

In 2008, the Lyford Cay Foundation also gave the Salvation Army $22,000 to fund the purchase of 20 station licenses, training and computer support for a literacy software programme used in the Army's 'Excel After School' project, which offers children and young people a safe, comfortable and supervised place in which to do their school homework.

For additional details on Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc. and The Canadian Lyford Cay Foundation please visit www.lyfordcayfoundation.org.

To find out more about the Salvation Army's numerous social and welfare programmes please visit www.salvationarmybahamas.org or call 393-2340.


Photo: Lyford Cay Foundation Gifts and Grants Committee members Suzy Robinson (left) and Kylie Nottage (right) are pictured with Salvation Army Divisional Commander Major Lester Ferguson at the Army's feeding centre on Mackey Street. The centre provides hundreds of hot lunches and food parcels to individuals and families in need every week. (Photo by Christine Aylen)