New Mobile Feeding Truck Boosts Emergency Response in Small Community
The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) trucks provide support to communities during tough times. From food and hydration to emotional and spiritual care, these response units are well-equipped to handle different circumstances and support vulnerable people.
Smaller communities often lack access to an EDS truck but, The Salvation Army in Napanee, Ont., a town with a population of under 16,000, recently welcomed their very own. Abigail Mills, director of community ministries, believes this move will benefit the town and improve emergency response times.
“Having a truck here is an additional tool that we’ll have to support our community in times of crisis.”
“Having a truck here is an additional tool that we’ll have to support our community in times of crisis. But even more, I’m excited to have it here to be something that we can use in our day-to-day support for the community as another source of food.”
Before getting the mobile unit, Belleville, Ont., which is approximately 30 minutes away, was the closest town to Napanee with an EDS truck available.
“With the truck here, should something happen, we will be ready to roll out and support our first responders,” Abigail adds.
The Napanee Salvation Army has additional plans for the truck.
“Around 1,200 to 1,300 people are coming for food service every year. If you consider that prior to the start of COVID, the same food bank provided for about 400 people, it has been a huge increase for us over these initial years of recovery,” Abigail shared.
“I’m hopeful that by the end of the summer, we will be able to step out and start impacting food insecurity.”
The idea is to use the EDS truck as a mobile kitchen, delivering meals to people with limited access to other food programs. Additionally, Abigail says there are plans to incorporate a program in the future that would bring meals to school students.
“I’m hopeful that by the end of the summer, we will be able to step out and start impacting food insecurity.”
As helpful as the EDS truck will be, the Army needs community support for everything to run smoothly.
“I’m hoping that having the truck here is going to start to draw people in because they will see it and know that this is something that they can get involved in, that they can join our training, and learn how to be part of this incredible service to the community,” she says.
Now that the community has access to this emergency vehicle, they will work together with The Salvation Army more effectively to tackle any challenges Napanee faces.
By Juan Romero
