For more than 30 years, The Salvation Army in Carbonear has been a vital source of support for individuals and families facing food insecurity. With its food bank operating out of the local church and powered entirely by dedicated volunteers, the team has long been committed to meeting the growing needs of the community. Still, meeting the increasing demand has come with challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s always a need greater than what we can accommodate,\u201d says Captain Lana Anstey, local corps officer. \u201cPeople are very generous, and we\u2019re grateful for donations from individuals, churches, and even events like the Santa Clause Parade. But we do have to buy a lot of food to meet demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The team provides approximately 120 food hampers each month, along with additional supports like Christmas assistance through a community-driven wish board. Despite generous local support, the rising need meant it was time to consider new ways to strengthen the food bank\u2019s impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pursuing Accreditation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAccreditation means we\u2019re meeting national standards,\u201d says Lieutenant Jamie Anstey, local corps officer. \u201cSome of those standards are intense, but it\u2019s worth it. It opens the door to new funding opportunities and helps ensure we\u2019re doing things right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Captain Lana took the lead locally, with four of the six units completed by THQ and strong support throughout the process. The team also made small upgrades\u2014like purchasing new trolleys and tables\u2014thanks to grant funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most importantly, volunteers embraced the challenge with pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur volunteers are incredible,\u201d Captain Lana shares. \u201cThey accommodated everything we needed to do, and they\u2019re proud to be part of something recognized at the national level.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Welcoming Community Space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While accreditation has brought practical improvements, the heart of the food bank lies in the community it creates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each Tuesday and Friday morning, volunteers not only pack and distribute food but also offer a warm cup of coffee and a listening ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPeople come here not just for food,\u201d Captain Lana explains. \u201cThey come because someone listens to them. They come to feel seen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n That sense of belonging extends to the volunteers, too. One regular volunteer, Susan, comes twice a week to help pack hampers. Her presence is a reminder that everyone has something valuable to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got 8 to 10 regular volunteers,\u201d says Lieutenant Jamie. \u201cThey register clients, pack food, and create such a welcoming environment. It\u2019s a team effort, and everyone plays an important role.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The team has exciting plans for the future. They will be participating in Food Banks Canada\u2019s After the Bell program, which provides nutritious snack packs for children during the summer months. This year will be the first time they\u2019ve offered such a program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re also creating more welcoming spaces by putting out puzzles, games, and crafts in the waiting area. \u201cWe want it to feel like a community centre; a welcoming and comfortable space,\u201d says Captain Lana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, the food bank is forming collaborative relationships with nearby organizations like the Harbour Grace Food Bank, and they continue to apply for grants to enhance their services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How the Community Can Help<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The food bank is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and the team encourages ongoing community involvement. Food donations, volunteer time, and prayers are always welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As demand grows, they\u2019re also seeing an increase in international students accessing the food bank, prompting the team to consider how they can better serve clients of different cultures and backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere\u2019s a strong connection between our church and our food bank,\u201d says Lieutenant Jamie. \u201cWe pray over our clients. We serve them with dignity. And we\u2019re here for them\u2014not just with food, but with compassion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For more than 30 years, The Salvation Army in Carbonear has been a vital source of support for individuals and families facing food insecurity. With its food bank operating out of the local church and powered entirely by dedicated volunteers, the team has long been committed to meeting the growing needs of the community. Still, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":10324,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1066,1065],"tags":[296,118],"location":[],"class_list":["post-10323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1066","category-newfoundland-and-labrador","tag-the-salvation-army","tag-volunteer"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n