Gordon Food Services and The Salvation Army are Partnering Together to Support Over 1,500 Families

When initially developing a partnership focusing on Emergency Disaster Services, The Salvation Army and Gordon Food Services couldn’t imagine what the impact of COVID-19 would have in the community.

Now, in a time when families are experiencing food insecurity and groceries stores have lower inventory on food items, the partnership between The Salvation Army and Gordon Food Services continues to provide needed support to the Ottawa community.

“The partnership started with The Salvation Army reaching out for support with the Emergency Disaster Services program,” Mark Lazaruk, Healthcare Manager at Gordon Food Services explains. “Gordon Food Services was happy to get together and look for a solution. Being able to support people at their most vulnerable lines up with our organization’s core values.”

The Salvation Army looked to Gordon Food Services for assistance in procuring a variety of items that would support families. These items include fresh fruit, staples such as canned food, cereals and snacks for children.

Glenn van Gulik, Divisional Director for Emergency Disaster Services says “The partnership that was born out of times of crisis is continuing through COVID-19. Gordon Food Services is able to work with suppliers and facilitate the ordering of items that we need to help the individuals and families we serve.”

The food items provided are packed into food hampers that will provide nutritious food for an individual or family for up to five or six days. These food hampers are then shared with various Salvation Army food banks across Eastern Ontario and have benefited over 1,500 families.

“The Salvation Army is an amazing organization that we are proud to support and be a partner of.” says Mark Lazaruk.

If you would like to support the work of The Salvation Army please visit http://www.salvationarmy.ca or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

By: Heather Prystanski