The Tribune

SOCIAL Services Minister Frankie Campbell yesterday commended local charitable organisations for the help they have rendered in the lead up to the Christmas season.

Applauding their dedication and refusal to turn anyone away, Mr Campbell said local charities and corporate Bahamas have “made the difference” this season.

“There is still a spirit of generosity and giving in The Bahamas,” he told The Tribune on the sidelines of a Rotary Club meeting.

“The normal, or usual, charitable organisations are hard at work. The Salvation Army, the Red Cross, place like Great Commission Ministries, the Bahamas Feeding Network, they are still hard at work doing their usual collection and dissemination,” he added.

Mr Campbell said despite only occupying the post of social services minister for six months, he has seen first hand the struggle and true needs that exist throughout the country.

He added that while the Minnis administration has taken steps to better fund social assistance programmes, the country’s overall financial position has forced the government into a place where it has to “properly evaluate every dollar we spend.”

Mr Campbell told The Tribune: “We are trying, but where we can’t, the kindness and love of organisations like (the Rotary Club) stepped in and made the difference.

“There is no doubt that the government, through the Ministry of Social Services, cannot do it alone. And so, we are grateful for partnerships such as (Rotary Club) and anybody else who wants to partner with us.

“These partnership are two-way partnerships, yesterday we gave to the (Bahamas) Feeding Network and today are receiving supplies from Rotary (Club).”

He continued: “For us now, there is an evaluation process to determine (how one is assisted). Yes, I know, it is unfortunate where a request cannot be necessarily taken at face value because, though in the minority, there are instances of persons who want to exploit a situation.

“Another reason for the evaluations and assessments is to keep track of (how the country’s money is spent) because at the end of the day we have to give an account. We in the ministry during budgetary periods have to give an account. For those two reasons we ask persons to understand and appreciate the need for evaluation and assessments.”

However, Mr Campbell said where this new policy leaves “openings,” charities and corporate donations have stepped up to the plate.

“That is what I am truly grateful for. We in the political arena are doing our best to make a difference, but where we can’t, the generosity and thoughtfulness are showing up big.”

The Rotary Club of East Nassau yesterday donated boxes of food supplies to the Ministry of Social Services.

The goods were collected as a part of the organisation’s Christmas campaign which tasked members with donating one food item per day from December 1 to 19.

The items are expected to be transferred to government sponsored social programmes in time for Christmas.