The Salvation Army and Nisga’a Nation Working Together to Fight Food Insecurity
The Salvation Army in Gitwinksihlkw, B.C., runs a food-share program that helps families in nearby communities obtain any food items they may need.
The program serves more than 60 families across the Nisga’a Nation’s villages, including Gitwinksihlkw, Gitlaxt’aamiks, Laxgalts’ap and Gingolx.
This initiative was introduced in 2013 by Damian and Erica Azak, The Salvation Army’s ministry unit leaders in Gitwinksihlkw.
“It was initially a place where people could share their excess food, and whoever needed food could come and take some,” Damian says.
Over time, the program kept growing, and it has been a great help for those facing food insecurity in the region.
“It has made a huge positive impact. Some people have said that they are grateful for the food share because, for many of them, it’s hard to get by each week,” Damian says.
For families in need of assistance in the Nisga’a villages, the nearest food bank is an hour and a half away. While the food -share program is not a food bank, it serves a similar purpose. It is easily accessible to the community, not only because it is closer but also because it respects tradition.
“We don’t ask how much clients make; that’s not very cultural in my view. The Nisga’a nation has a saying that, translated, means ‘one heart, one path, one nation.’ My interpretation is that we should love others in the same way that we love ourselves,” Damian says. “When they come and access the food, we make sure that they keep their integrity in the way they access it. Whatever they need, that is what they get.”
The program currently has its own space as an extension of the Salvation Army building. This is proof of how this initiative has grown over the years. Clients can come in once a week and pick the food items they need. Damian describes the space as a “mini grocery store.”
In the past, it also has accommodated the needs of clients. Under pandemic restrictions, volunteers at the food share would prepare bags with items and deliver them to families. For this, Damian and Erica received an excellence award at The Salvation Army’s 2023 INSPIRE Conference for leading an outstanding pandemic response in Gitwinksihlkw.
With the current cost of living, Damian says the number of families they serve has been growing and the need for support is there more than ever.
The food-share program relies on monetary or food donations to The Salvation Army. The Nisga’a Nation is a frequent contributor to the cause. Volunteers are also welcome to help sort and run the program.
The assistance provided to the villages has also strengthened the trust between the Nisga’a Nation and The Salvation Army.
“Since my wife, Erica, and I have been here, we have been working toward reconciliation between The Salvation Army and the community of Gitwinksihlkw,” Damian says.
One of the acts of trust was to put windows in the front of The Salvation Army building so that people could see what goes on inside.
With more than ten years of experience running this program, Damian and Erica feel fortunate to be able to walk alongside the people from the villages they serve through the Food Share program.
“It’s a blessing that this exists and that there is an opportunity for people to feel loved and cared for, and keep their integrity while doing so,” Damian concludes.
By Juan Romero