Food and Caring for Community Continues at The Salvation Army in Oshawa
Even as demand for food is increasing in Oshawa and Port Perry, the dedicated staff at The Salvation Army in Oshawa is going above and beyond to assist those in need.
Community and Family Services programs are being maintained and even expanded amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and Director Leigh Rowney and his team are supporting people in new ways.
Leigh says an adapted food bank dispersal system is working well even though members of the public, including volunteers and those in need, are unable to enter the building due to social distancing restrictions. And, the demand for support is on the rise as new clientele head to the food bank.
“We’re definitely seeing different faces come in for assistance,” Leigh said. “We’ve seen a massive increase.”
The reach of the church continues to make a huge difference in the lives of vulnerable community members in these extraordinary times. Those in need are receiving food hampers while maintaining a separation by pulling up to the curb while staff retrieve hampers and hand them out.
Things look a little different too. “We’re using the emergency services vehicle for the food bank’” Leigh says. “We’re packing bags and hampers and storing them for pick-up.”
In the first week of March, there was a 131 per cent jump in the need for services compared to the last week of February, though Leigh believes that demand has plateaued. In April so far, a total of 216 families have received support from The Salvation Army in Oshawa, a higher than normal demand. There has also been an increase in the number of people who are homeless reaching out due to the closure of shelters and other services, and as a result, Leigh said they are seeing more demand for pre-cooked, pre-made, or easy-to-prepare meals. They have been able to meet these increases through partnerships with other organizations, including Feed the Need in Durham Region. Prior to COVID-19, food hampers would be handed out every two months, but those in need can now receive food on a monthly basis.
Leigh said the greatest challenge is finding people to pack the food hampers and bags as volunteers who would normally assist are not permitted to pitch in these days. Staff is working double duty to pick up the slack in addition to meeting their normal job responsibilities, all for the good of the community.
There is always a demand for food staples and canned goods, which can be dropped off Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30am-12pm at 45 King St E at Albert St. in Oshawa. Food bank appointments can be made by calling 905-723-7422 x221.
Please visit http://www.salvationarmy.ca or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY to support the work of The Salvation Army
Chris McGregor
