Students, Slices, and Smiles: Parking Lot Pizza Creates Caring Space for Local Youth

It’s lunchtime and the smell of fresh pepperoni pizza fills the air as you enter The Salvation Army Encounter Church in Lower Sackville, N.S. A familiar face greets you at the door with a friendly smile. It’s Parking Lot Pizza day and all are welcome!

Myles is in Grade 9 and attends the free pizza lunch offered each Wednesday at the church, known as Parking Lot Pizza, along with peers from his school and the neighbouring junior high. When asked why he keeps coming back every week, his answer is quite simple, “Free food!” Myles says. “Everyone is nice here.”

Thanks to the pizza from nearby Freeman’s Little New York restaurant, church staff and volunteers, Parking Lot Pizza has created a welcoming space for local students who want or need a free lunch during the school year.

While a weekly free and friendly lunch on its own is a good thing, the pizza pull has also connected youth and their families to The Salvation Army beyond the lunch hour. Some have chosen to volunteer with the annual Christmas Kettle Campaign, and others have participated in activities and programs offered through the church, helping them connect with community and build their resume. Parking Lot Pizza has become important for parents and guardians too. School life can be intimidating and thanks to the Wednesday lunch, some students come to Encounter Church for a slice of happiness and a safe escape, giving parents reassurance.

Community Support

Pizza can be a love language and for the volunteer crew who smile, greet, and serve these 350+ students each week, it is just that. Frankly, it wouldn’t happen without the seven smiling faces that have ‘stolen a pizza’ the students’ hearts.

One such volunteer is Stephen Jones. He’s been volunteering with The Salvation Army for decades and has been helping with Parking Lot Pizza since day one. For both he and his wife June, it feels like an extension of the Army’s former ‘Feed the Need’ program at which they volunteered in downtown Halifax for 17 years.

Stephen does this because he feels, “It’s our responsibility to connect with the community and volunteering is a small way to help”. He goes on to say that youth are important to The Salvation Army and they need lunch, as well as a safe place no matter their background. Stephen is glad to be a part of that. And the students? They see it too and say, “There’s always this guy who welcomes us…”. That guy is Stephen.

Along with dedicated volunteers, you ‘knead’ a lot of ‘dough’ to make this lunch program happen—approximately $1,500 for 70 pizzas each week. Financial support from the community will allow Parking Lot Pizza to continue deep dishing out care in Lower Sackville, and sponsorship opportunities will soon be available.

If you’re interested in supporting Parking Lot Pizza, please connect with Encounter.Info@salvationarmy.ca or call 902-865-8010 for more information. Click here to watch Parking Lot Pizza in action.

By Wendy Woodland & Deborah Waines-Bauer