400-plus families to benefit from Be An Angel campaign
Despite coming up just less than $200 short of our $45,000 goal, this year’s Be An Angel campaign will still do a massive amount of good for local Salvation Army programs.
Thanks to the generosity of Herald readers and community members, who opened their hearts after reading the stories of people who would be helped by their gifts, we managed to collect $44,865.60.
“Thank you to all of the community and family ministries clients who so bravely shared their stories. And, thank you to the readers of the Penticton Herald whose hearts were touched and who made a donation,” said Salvation Army co-ordinator Barb Stewart.
“Thank you to the Penticton Herald for providing this vehicle that allows us to better understand one another.”
Herald publisher Ed Kennedy said the annual campaign fits neatly into the newspaper’s mandate to inspire, inform and improve the community.
“It also helps us give a voice to those from whom we don’t often hear,” added Kennedy.
“But the real thanks here goes to the people who support this campaign every year. We truly couldn’t do it without you.”
Salvation Army community ministry director René van der Meijden said cash is the best non-perishable donation the food bank can receive.
“With the help of the Be An Angel campaign, we can continue to assist well over 400 needy households with food every week and offer a variety of other services. We are no angels, but we love to give them a hand through our work here at the food bank,” said van der Meijden.
“Our focus is to help those most in need. Last year we did this through the food bank, assisting fire victims, hosting forest fire evacuees, sending children to summer camp and assisting homeless people with a safe place to sleep and a meal.
“With your generous donations through the Be An Angel campaign, we will continue to assist those families in need and lift people out of poverty whenever we can."