The Salvation Army in Victoria is seeing long lines for its boxed lunches as more and more people struggle to make ends meet.
“It’s pretty tough,” says Tim Thomas, who has been staying at the Salvation Army for the last eight months. “I went homeless last year just before Christmas about this time.”
Thomas got sick, couldn’t work and ended up on the street.
“I was paying a pretty high rent high at time, my money started to disappear, then I had to sell everything, that disappeared, and then I had to get rid of my home, that disappeared,” explains Thomas.
But the Salvation Army gave Thomas a roof over his head, food, and support. And he’s not the only one.
“This year we have seen an incredible surge in the demand for our services,” says Salvation Army spokesperson Patricia Mamic. “The numbers of people coming through our doors and contacting us is astounding.”
Demand is up 200 to 300 per cent in parts of the province — a need not seen since the Second World War.
It’s why CHEK’s annual Christmas charity drive is more important than ever
But due to COVID, we’re accepting online donations and will have a telethon from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m this Friday during our newscasts.
“People can just pick up the phone or go online and contribute that way,” explains CHEK telethon organizer Michael Woloshen, who started the charity drive 27 years ago as a way for CHEK staff to give back.
“It was all about our staff getting together and trying to do something for the community and it makes me proud,” he says.
Tim says those donations to the Salvation Army saved his life.
“There are very few options — either you’re living on the street just waiting for winter to take you out,” Thomas says. “What other options are there? There’s prison or death. ”
He just hopes more people can get the help they need.
Tess van Straaten
