Continuing to Serve

Across Canada and Quebec, The Salvation Army stands by to bring help and hope.

This spring, COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus) developed quickly and The Salvation Army, while protecting the 1.6 million people it serves each year as well as its pastors, employees and volunteers, continues to stand by its communities to bring help and hope.

Navigating Trying Times
“The spread of the virus will have a long-term impact on people’s wellbeing,” says Commissioner Floyd J. Tidd, territorial commander of The Salvation Army. “We’re grateful to our front-line workers who enable us to provide our essential services and further support Canada’s most vulnerable.”

As a national charitable organization that employs more than 10,000 people in over 400 communities across the country, The Salvation Army is Canada’s largest non-governmental provider of social services. Like many other charities, The Salvation Army has taken unprecedented measures to limit exposure to the coronavirus.

“We’re keeping a close watch on this fluid situation,” says Lt-Colonel John P. Murray, spokesperson for The Salvation Army. “Decisions may need to change as circumstances and health directives evolve. As we navigate these challenging times, we’re guided by our mission, our values and evidence-based information published by local health authorities and the Public Health Agency of Canada.”

• In The Salvation Army’s more than 180 community and family services offices, social distancing measures are in place. Feeding programs and food banks are altering the way they serve. From soup kitchens that operate as take-out only to mobile feeding units handing out bags of food, the Army is ensuring that no one goes hungry. Our food banks are open in Quebec, for more information click here.
• Thrift Stores in the province of Quebec are now open. For more information concerning our Thrift Stores click here. The need for affordable clothing and household items will be very high in the days ahead. Meanwhile, thrift stores will continue to support crisis needs of our community and family services operations.
• In shelters and transitional housing settings, meals are brought to rooms. Staff are provided with personal protective equipment (PPE), which is disposed of after each visit.

“We’re committed to providing much-needed support to the most vulnerable people in our communities and the growing number of Canadians affected by COVID-19,” Commissioner Tidd says.