Bruce Northrup introduced Lt. Lance Gillard, who recently arrived in Sussex as our Dec. 4, 2017 speaker.
He and his wife Monika are the new leaders at the Salvation Army. Both Lance and Monika were part of the Canadian military and then later made a career change to become pastors for the Salvation Army Church.
Lt. Lance Gillard circulated statistics about the usage of the Salvation Army here in Sussex, showing the increase in the number of requests this year compared to last year. The Army is receiving more applications this year, and he attributed this to the fact that unemployment support for miners has run out.
The Army is a member of the New Brunswick Association of Food Banks, and this makes it possible to work with other groups who are giving to those who are in need and also the “working poor.” Even though it may not be visible on the streets, there are people “living on the streets in Sussex.” Often this is termed “couch-surfing,” and the Salvation Army is regularly receiving requests for lodging.
Lt. Gillard reported that the Salvation Army is looking for an individual who would be willing to offer a family budgeting class.
The Salvation Army Thrift Store is a source of revenue for social programs and offers useful quality items at reduces. Lt. Gillard believes in partnering with the community and thanked the Rotary Club for joining in and helping with the Christmas Kettle.
Rotarian Don Ingersoll thanked Lt. Gillard for his presentation.