Wal-Mart Canada Increases Donations to The Salvation Army in Napanee, Bringing Hope to Local Residents During Pandemic

As a member of Food Banks Canada, Wal-Mart Canada is supporting The Salvation Army in Napanee to help feed those in need in the region.

Wal-Mart Canada has been providing non-perishable food items along with pet food, toilet paper and cleaning supplies for several years, but due to a change in their donation program they have also been providing fresh food over the last year.

“Wal-Mart Canada is working with a goal of zero waste. By changing up our process in store of reducing our fresh items for our customers and recognizing the economic changes our customers have faced; we have opened up a donation program that supports food banks in our community,” said Jennifer Akins, Assistant Manager at Wal-Mart in Napanee.  “With the Salvation Army Ontario Division being the community partner in the Napanee area for food banks they have been able to provide these donations to the local community as well as the outlying area.”

The Salvation Army Napanee Food Bank is now stocked with meat, dairy, baked goods and fresh produce from Wal-Mart Canada.

“As of February of 2020 we started picking up grocery items from Wal-Mart Canada three times a week,” said Abigail Mills, Director of Community Ministries at The Salvation Army in Napanee. “We have since been able to provide robust amounts of food to the community such as  steak and chicken.”

Over the last year, 87,000 pounds of food has been donated to the Salvation Army in Napanee.

The items donated to The Salvation Army in Napanee are sometimes food they receive that is not in the right packaging or in unsellable condition.  Some of the items are near expiry but never passed the shelf life or are items left at the end of a particular season that Wal-Mart Canada will no longer be selling.

Wal-Mart Canada is also providing pre-package deli items, household goods, personal care items, hygiene items, and stationary items for back to school.

“We are beyond grateful for what their generous donation has allowed us to do. We even received school supplies for our back-to-school program,” said Abigail.  “

Wal-Mart Canada also fundraises for The Salvation Army and has raised $6,312.

“We were able to raise these funds from donations at our registers from our customers and associates. It really does take a community to support a community,” said Jennifer. “Having a partnership like this and the willingness to work together can make this program so successful. Our associates also get to hear the stories of what The Salvation Army is able to do in the community because of Wal-Mart’s contributions.”

Abigail will often drop in to speak to associates about how Wal-Mart Canada is helping The Salvation Army.

“We are so grateful to be able to help our community’s most vulnerable,” said Abigail.  “I stopped at a grocery store last year to gather items for the food bank, and as I was about to pay, a lady was dismayed there was no toilet paper left on the shelf. Her father who was in his 80s couldn’t find any.  So I quietly said to her I have toilet paper; I will help you out.”

It was through the donated supply from Wal-Mart Canada that The Salvation Army was able to assist the lady’s father in his time of need.

“Wal-Mart Canada wants to give back to the community and I see our donation programs continuing to grow in the future,” said Jennifer.  “When we looked at different organizations that help people, The Salvation Army Ontario Division is very consistent in a large number of communities. It’s an organization that is called upon in times of emergency and is a great partner to have.”

To support the work of The Salvation Army Ontario Division, donate online at www.salvationarmy.ca where you can donate to a specific program or location. You can also donate by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

By: Caroline Franks