Community Breakfast Serves 4,200 Meals Each Year to Increases Food Security

For many, breakfast is the most skipped meal of the day – often due to food insecurity. The Salvation Army in Spryfield is working to change this by hosting a community breakfast four times a week for families and those experiencing homelessness.

“The program provides a regular meal for people who are struggling,” explains Krista Riendeau, community ministry coordinator “We serve anyone who comes to our door. Sometimes it’s families and children, other times its people experiencing homelessness.”

The breakfast is distributed in take-out bags, which includes a full breakfast meal, juice, snack bars and fresh fruit. Each bag also includes additional items, such as KD cups, to provide additional food security throughout the day. 

“The goal is to fill the bags with both breakfast and enough items to keep them fed throughout the day. They include items such as cereal boxes, apples, muffins, granola bars, chips, juice boxes and KD cups.”

The program is available for anyone who may be in need. More than 80 meals are served through this program each week and 4,200 over the course of a year.

“We serve anywhere from 18-20 people a day,” she explains. “The majority of our guests are located within walking distance of our building so it’s easy for them to pick-up a bag for the day.” 

Due to the pandemic, the program had to be changed from sit-down continental style to take-out to ensure the safety of those we serve. The team at The Salvation Army in Spryfield was determined to keep the program going as more people than ever before are struggling with food insecurity. 

“We are still able to provide a healthy breakfast through take-out bags. It was important that we found a way to continue the program since so many struggling people rely on it.”

Learn more about Salvation Army programs and services.