Salvation Army optimistic about 2016
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- Published on Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Photo by Eoin Devereux. Amanda Naughton-Gale of the Salvation Army spoke to the Neepawa Rotary Club on Friday, Jan. 22.
By Eoin Devereux
Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press
Neepawa’s Salvation Army is hopeful that 2016 will be the year they’re finally able to expand. On Friday, Jan. 22, Manager Amanda Naughton-Gale spoke to the members of the Neepawa Rotary Club, during the group’s weekly luncheon and meeting. She provided an update on the operation of the thrift store and the use of the hamper program.
Naughton-Gale noted that 45 households received aid from the food bank program in 2015, down from 54 households the previous year. She said that while it was great to see the need for hampers on the decline, they don’t expect it to be an ongoing trend.
“[In 2016] I think we’re going to see an increase in need. Already, we’re up a little bit in comparison to last year’s requests for food hampers,” commented Naughton-Gale. “That might have to do with some of the economic issues that are going on globally right now. I don’t think the need will ever stop . I think it’ll grow and that’s why we need ongoing support.”
Naughton-Gale did add however, that the community has always been very generous in supporting the food bank, though most of that support comes later in the calendar year and that the early portion of the year is always the slowest time for donations.
As for the operation of the thrift store, 2015 was one of its most successful years, with the store surpassing the $100,000 mark in sales.
Naughton-Gale said that in a way, they’re a victim of their own success, as they have more donation than space. She remains hopeful that a proposed move to a larger location is still in the cards.
“Best case scenario for 2016, I’d hope to see us moved into a new location. We have outgrown our existing location. We’ve made our current location work as best we can, but a larger space would allow us to look at what else we could do for the community. What other sources or programs could be created if there is more room?” said Naughton-Gale. “We can only do what we can do, with the resources that we have. I see so much opportunity for us to do bigger and better things for our clients and for our community.”
