Community Winter Storm Response Recognized by Prime Minister

Sydney, N.S., saw record snowfall this February when a multiple-day winter storm dropped over 150 centimeters. In response, The Salvation Army was busy helping those in need by providing spiritual and emotional support and packing and distributing emergency food hampers in partnership with Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) and the Provincial Incident Management Team.

With people trapped in their homes due to the amount of snowfall, and food bank appointments needing to be rescheduled, accessible food became an issue. Emergency food hampers, which included pantry staples, like bread, milk, eggs and produce, were coordinated and packed by community family services (CFS) staff and foodbank volunteers at The Salvation Army in Sydney. Over the course of four days after the storm, a total of 140 hampers went out to those in need.

“Typically, volunteers deliver food hampers when needed, but with the amount of snow at times helicopter and ski-doo were used to transport the boxes,” said Priya Shankar, CFS worker for The Salvation Army in Sydney. “It has been an incredible experience working with CBRM and our community partners to get people the food and services they need,” she added.

It takes a team to respond when disaster strikes, and The Salvation Army is part of wider team that included local businesses, community partners, and government officials that came together to help those in need after the storm. However, it is most humbling to see the commitment and dedication of the employees and volunteers of The Salvation Army.

Priya, quoted above, is part of the incredible team that makes up The Salvation Army in Sydney and was described as the face of the organization during the storm as she dealt with clients nonstop over the phone. With over 100 food bank client appointments needing to be rescheduled, she was there to guide them through the process and triage who needed emergency food hampers first. Pathway of Hope participants also saw personal food deliveries by caseworker John MacDonald as he checked in and reminded them that The Salvation Army was here for them.

Volunteers were also quick to respond and first on the scene to check in on the church, located at 55 Inglis St. “Our volunteers, many without cars, were literally leaving their homes with two-foot tunnel paths to get to our location and help clear exits so we could get into the building,” shared Sydney Community Church Community Ministries Officer, Lieutenant Jenelle Durdle

In addition to the food hampers, The Salvation Army also partnered with the Red Cross to provide meals, clothing support and spiritual and emotional care for 60 seniors who were displaced from Silver Birch Manor. It is suspected that heavy snow added stress to propane lines which resulted in an explosion at the independent living complex. 158 meals were served and supported by Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) volunteers and Thrift Store staff, led by retired officer Major Marie Osborne-Keeping. EDS volunteers also assisted Red Cross volunteers in transitioning 40 of the seniors back into their home from the hotel they were staying at.

To thank local first responders for their services during the storm’s aftermath, a reception was held on Feb. 23 in Glace Bay, N.S. This served as an incredible opportunity to connect with each of the responders who helped the community make it through the storm. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also made a surprise appearance at the event, adding to the excitement in the room as he thanked everyone.

In conclusion to a very busy couple of weeks, Lieutenant Durdle shared that “This community takes care of each other and is so inspiring to see and be a part of.”

To learn more about volunteering with The Salvation Army or to make a donation, please visit https://bit.ly/TSAAtlantic