CLOTHING AND BOOTS

Evening Post, Issue 122, 26 May 1933, Page 14

CLOTHING AND BOOTS

SALVATION ARMY APPEAL

WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN WANT

An urgent appeal is made by tho Aifieers of tho Salvation Army for gifts jot' clothing and boots, sadly needed for Many destitute families. A woman with thirteen children, tho eldest 16 years of ago, with a hunband receiving only relief rates of pay, is one outstanding instance, but there are, it is stated, many others, of families ranging ■from three- or four up to eleven, where the children are almost completely out cf clothes. Over 120 families are being assisted as much as possible, but the supplies are all too short. Women's juid children's warm. clothing is chiefly needed.. Shoes and boots need not be in good order, as the Army will repair them. In addition to the numbers who are still under a roof, tho officers are occasionally called upon to provide foi families turned out of their homes. I)i such cases, setting aside the rights and wrongs of the parties, the transport department is made use of to collect the unfortunates, and they are provided for as well as funds will permit. One such family assisted consisted of seven children, four of whom were so young that they had to be carried. Other sad. pases aro where nearly everything in tho ho.uso has been removed for debt. One woman was found with a single sheet and a blanket. Baby clothes aro among the greatest heeds. Social obligations and proper pride seem to have suffered from the spirit of abandon of the times, and the numbers of cases of unmarried mothers without resources have greatly increased. Twenty layettes have been supplied, but many more aro needed. There are 24 girls in, the maternity homo who will not have a penny when they come out. In the children's home in Owon Street there are 53 inmates. The soup kitchen in the Mount Cook School has been started' again, and there yesterday ISO children were served. The rest room, in Taranaki Street is in operation, while the Miramar Industrial Home is full <to overflowing. There industries such as selvage sorting, boot repairing, etc., are carried on, and any gifts of leather Will be welcomed. Full inquiries are made into all eases assisted, but though the majority are well worth helping there are some cases where the Tight course is a problem. Nevertheless, whether the people assisted have acted rightly or wrongly, all obtain tome measure of relief. The condition of children's footwear in some of the poorer quarters of the city would cause anyone concern. Soiiie wear torn sandals with tho feet showing through. Many of the children have no stockings, while - some Jhave neither shoes nor stockings. Notification of gifts of any kind to telephone 49-247 will result in their being immediately called for, whether they aro for the Samaritan office or for the men's social and children's aid departments.