It’s What We Do

The Salvation Army British Columbia division provides support to thousands of British Columbians in need each day. Our purpose is to better the lives of others by offering services, programs and care amidst life’s most challenging days. Our services include:

Food Services

Did you know that nearly 700,000 British Columbians live at or below the poverty line? It’s hard to imagine what its like to have to turn to a food bank, soup kitchen or school feeding program in order to have a meal; But for too many British Columbians, it is a reality. Every year in British Columbia we provide more than 1,000,000 nutritious meals to people in need of assistance in our community. Guests include families with children, employed people whose low wages don’t cover basic living essentials, individuals on social assistance, and Canadians living on a fixed income, which includes seniors and people with disabilities.

At many Salvation Army food banks clients select the food they want, similar to shopping at a grocery store. This restores self-esteem and reduces the stress and humiliation of asking for food.

• Community meals
• School meals

Emergency Disaster Services

For 100 years, our Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) have been on scene providing services whenever there has been a natural or man-made disaster. Our Units are always ready to assist during emergencies by providing mobile feeding units, shelter, emotional and spiritual care and the distribution of necessary supplies. Salvation Army Community Response Units in BC are one of the first responders to arrive and the last to leave. Our assistance is long term, through the critical disaster phase and well after the tragedy. Together, we have 16 mobile kitchen units uniquely positioned to deploy and serve communities in need. This past year, our CRU’s served over 100,000 meals to individuals, children and families in BC.

Recent:

• Abbotsford Building Fire
• BC Wildfires
• Kelowna Apartment Fire

Housing and Shelter

In British Columbia, we operate 16 homeless shelters and 3 Emergency Weather Response shelters. We are partnered with communities and government organizations to ensure our clients have a safe and warm space to rest. Our shelters are dedicated to addressing personal barriers and enabling personal development within a supportive community. Every year, we provide over 183,000 Emergency shelter spaces and transitional supportive housing to British Columbians in need.

Examples:

• Belkin House & Grace Mansion (Vancouver)
• Gateway of Hope (Langley)
• Harbour Light (Vancouver)

See more shelter locations.

Social Services

The Salvation Army in BC is one of the largest direct provider of social services in the province. Our social service activities include: hunger relief for individuals and families through food banks and feeding programs; shelter for people experiencing homelessness and support for those in need of housing assistance; rehabilitation for those struggling with mental health and/or addiction; long-term care and palliative care; Christmas assistance such as food hampers and toys; after-school programs, camps, and school nutrition programs for children and youth; and life-skills classes such as budgeting, cooking for a family, and anger management.

Thrift Stores

With nearly 60 Thrift Stores, The Salvation Army in British Columbia operates one of the province’s largest clothing recycling operations. Find out where your closest Thrift Store location is to you.

Churches

As a religious denomination, The Salvation Army has over 300 corps or congregations in Canada and Bermuda. These corps not only focus on worship, Christian education and other congregational activities, but are also involved in providing practical assistance to their communities.