Hunger is growing as the recession bites

The number of people going hungry in Bermuda is rising by up to a fifth, year on year, according to the Salvation Army.

Demand for assistance is growing as the recession continues to bite.

Major Shawn Critch, Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army in Bermuda, said: “Our combined Community and Family Services Programmes are dealing with an overall increase of between 16 and 20 per cent year over year, and we are serving between 450-475 families per month.”

He added: “Our Community Meal Programme at the North Street Citadel has seen an 18 per cent increase for the first seven months of 2013, compared with the same period for 2012.  

“Our team of volunteers are serving an average of 1,725 meals per month.” 

It is only the Mobile Feeding Programme — which visits various City of Hamilton locations, Monday to Saturday — which has seen numbers fall, he said.

As job losses and cuts continue, community and church groups are also noticing more and more people needing assistance.

The First Baptist Church in Devonshire set up its meal programme in February, to provide a hot meal to the needy every Wednesday night.

Times are tough

Assistant pastor Gordon Shaw said: “We recognized times are getting tougher, and we have also had people in our church who have been laid off or cut back. 

“So there is more of a need.

“We provide meals for up to 90 people each week.

“They come from all over the island and we see new faces all the time.”

Christ Church (Presbyterian Church of Scotland) in Warwick started a ‘Spaghetti Drive’ this month, in addition to its congregation’s weekly donations of food to the Salvation Army and the Eliza DoLittle Society.

Reverend Barry Dunsmore said the church’s ‘Loads of Love’ shower and laundry programme — set up in March 2011 — was also seeing an increase in demand.

“Last Saturday there were more than 30 people there, and numbers are rising,” he said.

“There’s a limit to what we can cope with. We are hoping to open a second period in the week soon.

“Bermuda was behind the downturn in other countries but has caught up with it now, and it might have to get worse before it gets better.”

Margaret Ward, director of The Eliza DoLittle Society,  said that since establishing the Daily Bread programme in 2010, “demand has gone up every day”.

“The demand is mostly from seniors as their pensions aren’t going up but the price of food is, so a lot of seniors are struggling.”

Since setting up a general food bank last December, she estimates demand for provisions has tripled.

“We’ve got about 500 people registered for our food bank, who receive food every two weeks,” said Ms Ward.

This includes individuals, families, plus community and church groups who serve meals to the needy at 12 feeding centres across the island.

Ms Ward estimates that through its non-perishable donations, The Eliza DoLittle Society helps to supply hot meals to 1,500 people each week.

“We serve anyone who says they need food,” she said.

“When people come to ask you for food it is quite humbling.

“We need more and more food, but people are also giving more, so on the other hand, I’m really pleased with the heart of Bermuda.”

The Eliza DoLittle Society recently held its third annual ‘Making Hunger History’ appeal, for donations.

Ms Ward said: “About 50 companies have contributed. People have been very supportive and we have a huge pile of food to distribute to the different food banks.”

A Government spokeswoman said: “As a result of the continued economic crisis, the Department of Financial Assistance has seen an increase of applicants over the last couple of years.  

“The Department currently services approximately 2,300 people, who receive assistance with housing, utilities, food and a childcare subsidy.

“It continues to provide community support by working with, and referring, to other Government departments, non-governmental organizations and the church community.  

“If people feel they may be in need of assistance, the Department has a walk-in referral service that is open to the public, Monday to Friday, 10am–12 noon and 2pm–4pm.  

“In a case where a person is unable to walk-in, the Department will assess you in the comfort of your home environment.”

Current contributory pension payments for seniors are $226.22 a week, or $982.98 per month. 

A Government spokeswoman said: “The last benefit increase was in August 2011, at three per cent.”

Inflation rose 2.7 per cent in 2011, plus an additional 2.4 percent in 2012 and 1.89 per cent to July, 2013.

According to the Consumer Price Index, food prices in 2012 rose 3.5 per cent on the previous year.  

And we paid 1.8 per cent more for a basket of goods and services in July,2013, compared with July, 2012.

The spokeswoman said: “The Ministry is currently reviewing the latest actuary report on the Contributory Pension Fund, and a decision on benefit increases will be made in due course.” 

For more information or to help food for the needy, call 333-4483 or e-mail [email protected], or contact the Salvation Army on 292-0601.

Where you can go for help

Mondays 

• Anglican Cathedral, 29 Church Street, Hamilton. 10am-12pm: Breakfast/lunch

• Salvation Army, North Street Citadel, 10 North Street, Hamilton. 5:30-6:30pm: Dinner. Call 296-6740

• Warwick Holiness Church, 85 Spice Hill Rd, Warwick (top of Khyber Pass). 6-7:15pm: Dinner

• St Monica’s Church, 8 St Monica’s Road, Pembroke. 6-8pm: Dinner

Tuesdays 

• Salvation Army, 44 King Street, Hamilton. 9:30am-1pm: Community and family services

• First Church of God, 75 Sound View Road, Somerset. 4:30-6:30pm: Dinner & deliveries

• Salvation Army, North Street Citadel, 10 North Street, Hamilton. 5:30-6:30pm: Dinner. Call 296-6740

• Evening Light Pentecostal church, 44 Parsons Rd, Pembroke. 5:45-6:45pm: Dinner (plus deliveries)

Wednesdays

• Salvation Army (St George’s Corps), 6 Governors Alley, St George’s. 9am-12pm

• Salvation Army, 44 King Street, Hamilton. 9:30am-1pm: Community and family services

• Salvation Army (West End Community Church), 15 Cambridge Road, Somerset 4-6pm

• First Baptist Church, 134 Middle Road, Devonshire. 5:15-6:15pm: Dinner. Call 236-7414

• Hamilton Seventh Day Adventist Church, 43 King Street Hamilton. 5:30-6:30pm: Vegetarian dinner

• St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Middle Road, Warwick. 5:30-6:30pm: Soup and sandwiches  

• St Augustine’s Church, St. Augustine’s Hill, Hamilton. 6-8pm: Dinner

• Somerset Seventh Day Adventist Church, 9 Beacon Hill Rd, Sandys. 6:30–7:30pm: Dinner/vegetarian meal

Thursdays

• Salvation Army, 44 King Street, Hamilton. 9:30am-1pm: Community and family services

• Anglican Cathedral, 29 Church Street, Hamilton. 10-11:30am: Breakfast/lunch 

• Salvation Army, North Street Citadel, 10 North Street, Hamilton. 5:30-6:30pm: Dinner. Call 296-6740

• Bright Temple AME Church, 28 Spring Hill Road, Devonshire. 6-7pm: Dinner (plus deliveries) 

• Beulah Tabernacle, 4 Beulah Lane, Sandy’s. 6:30-7:30pm: Dinner (plus deliveries) 

Fridays

• Salvation Army (St George’s Corps), 6 Governors Alley, St George’s. 9am-12pm

• Salvation Army, 44 King Street, Hamilton. 9:30am-1pm: Community and family services

• Salvation Army, North Street Citadel, 10 North Street, Hamilton. 5:30-6:30pm: Dinner. Call 296-6740

Saturdays

• Christ Church (Presbyterian Church of Scotland), 96 Middle Rd, Warwick 8:30am–1pm: Loads of Love — breakfast, shower and laundry facilities (last load 12pm) Call 236-1882

• Salvation Army, North Street Citadel, 10 North Street, Hamilton. 5:30-6:30pm: Dinner. Call 296-6740

Sundays

• Church Without Walls, Bulls Head Car Park, Hamilton. 1pm: Lunch

• St Vincent De Paul Society, St Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church, Cathedral Hall, Laffan Street, Hamilton. 5:30-6:30pm: Loaves & Fishes — dinner. Call 232-5211

• Hamilton Seventh Day Adventist Church, 43 King Street, Hamilton. 5:30-6:30pm: Vegetarian dinner.