About 1,500 families in need will benefit from food and gifts collected through The Salvation Army’s annual drive.

The Fill the Truck of Hope campaign, run for more than a decade by the charity along with Inter-Island Communications, raises funds for Bermuda’s most vulnerable.

Major Darryl Simms of The Salvation Army was on site at 49 Union Road, Hamilton, this afternoon as a second van load of goods was being filled.

He said: “It’s been going well. We started this year’s Fill the Truck of Hope campaign this morning, and Magic 102.7 had my wife and myself on the radio for three hours.

“That was wonderful. They give us airtime on the day and in the weeks leading up to the event.

“We have had people from the community dropping off boxes and bags of non-perishable food items, we had people drive by and stop to donate gift cards, and we had school groups come and donate items.

“We have had different musicians come along to provide music including some members of The Salvation Army band which played Christmas carols. We also have our kettle stand outside for monetary donations.

“It’s going well, the community is responding, and we appreciate all the love and support that they give to The Salvation Army throughout the year.

“They have already filled one van and are working on the second van now.”

The goods will be distributed to people who have signed up for the aid.

Members of the community can make donations right up until Monday, December 18, by calling the Christmas hotline on 537-6455 or visiting The Salvation Army offices.

Major Simms added: “There is definitely a need out there when you think of the economy, you think of food insecurity and people on the streets.

“The Salvation Army does its best to meet those needs, especially at Christmas, for families as well to provide food hampers and gifts for under the tree.”