Cambridge Salvation Army fundraising to meet increasing need
published on 1 May 2020
Over the past month, Cambridge Salvation Army has been providing breakfast, sandwiches and a hot meal for up to 75 people a day, primarily homeless people who have been provided accommodation in hotels and guest houses.
The meals are costing the local Salvation Army more than £1,000 a week and local leaders are concerned that they won’t be able to sustain this essential service.
Major Martin Cordner from Cambridge Salvation Army said: “We’re working alongside the council and other charities to provide the best support we can for homeless people at this time but more funding is needed if we are going to keep providing food and other essential services.
“Any donations to Cambridge Salvation Army’s JustGiving page would be much appreciated. A donation of £20 would be enough to provide food for one person for a week.”
As most of the accommodation that has been provided does not come with cooking facilities, these meals are a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
With social distancing measures in place, a small team is cooking, packing and delivering the meals from The Salvation Army church and community centre on Tenison Road Monday to Friday with other partners covering the weekend. Alongside the food provided by The Salvation Army, an outreach team for rough sleepers is working to provide additional support.
As well as supporting homeless people, Cambridge Salvation Army is providing food parcels for families who are struggling to make ends meet and hot meals for older people who are isolated. Donations to Cambridge Salvation Army’s coronavirus respond fund can be made via JustGiving: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/camsa
Members of the public should not bring donations to The Salvation Army because of the lockdown rules. Local supermarkets, wholesalers or businesses wishing to make in-kind or financial donations should contact officers@camsa.org.uk
