Salvation Army Partnership Brings Thanksgiving Dinners to People in Need
A community partnership in Nanaimo, B.C., brought free Thanksgiving meals to hundreds of people, giving them an opportunity to celebrate the holiday.
Chris Wolfe, owner of True North Pressure Washing, organized an initiative called Operation Turkey Drop. He raised enough funds to provide 500 dinners for vulnerable local families and individuals. The Salvation Army partnered with the company to supply a location to store and distribute the food.
The motivation behind this event was personal for Chris, who experienced homelessness a few years back and understands first-hand how tough it can be to face Thanksgiving without nourishment.
Bern Muller, executive director of The Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope in Nanaimo, witnessed Chris’ commitment to helping others.
“He bought the first 100 meals himself,” Bern says. “Then, through a GoFundMe, he wrote, ‘Come on, Nanaimo, $10 a plate. Can you come on board?’ So by the time the dust settled, he had about 500 dinners paid for.”
“Many recipients were older people who are struggling.”
More than 30 volunteers came to The Salvation Army on Thanksgiving Day to help bring this initiative to life. Some packaged takeout orders, while others delivered food to people who were unable to leave their homes.
Those who offered their assistance also helped in the kitchen and welcomed guests into the Centre of Hope’s dining room, where nearly 200 people enjoyed a meal.
Operation Turkey Drop supported regular Salvation Army clients experiencing food insecurity, as well as other vulnerable people in Nanaimo.
While the event was a success, Bern did notice a concerning trend.
“Many recipients were older people who are struggling and that’s something new that we’re seeing in the community,” he shares. “Some are having difficulties making ends meet and managing their need for proper nutrition.”
Many seniors rely on fixed incomes and rising housing and grocery costs are making it increasingly difficult for them to afford food.
“We’d love to welcome partnerships with other local organizations.”
Bern says initiatives like Operation Turkey Drop matter because they provide more than a meal. They also remind people that their community cares for them.
“When somebody takes the time to celebrate and to mark a holiday with you such as Thanksgiving, that kind of strikes a different tone in the human spirit,” Bern says.
After seeing how successful this initiative was, Bern is proud that The Salvation Army’s reputation in Nanaimo helped establish the partnership that made it all happen. He hopes this will build momentum for future local collaboration opportunities.
“We’d love to welcome partnerships with other local organizations. I think that’s a great opportunity, whether it’s a one-off or a recurring event,” Bern shares.
Later that week, on October 15, The Salvation Army in Nanaimo, alongside TELUS, hosted an autumn community meal featuring roast pork.
By Juan Romero
