Kingston Community Stuffs the Bus with Donations to Salvation Army Food Pantry

Kingston residents stuffed the bus to fill the shelves of The Salvation Army Kingston Citadel Food Pantry, which provides fresh and healthy food to families and individuals in need at Christmas and all year round.

The Stuff the Bus event is a 30-year partnership between The Salvation Army and Kingston Transit. This year 700 shopping bags containing 3,102 items were donated by shoppers at No Frills in just one day, enough to fill the bus seats and floor.

“The need for our food pantry grows during the Christmas season. We are very grateful for the outpouring of community support for this event every single year to help us stock the pantry,” said Captain Nichole Maxwell, Corps Officer with The Salvation Army Kingston Citadel.

Demand at the Food Pantry has increased by 30 to 40 households each month in 2022. Captain Maxwell said the need for food in Kingston has become so great that The Salvation Army Community and Family Services now works collaboratively alongside Partners in Mission Food Bank in Kingston. Households can now access both services once a month to ensure people have enough food to get them through the month.

The Salvation Army Kingston Food Pantry is unique in that it allows families to pick out their own food. “It’s not a pre-packed hamper so people are able to choose the things that they’re actually going to use. Our motto is giving dignity back to people. Rather than just passing a bag across the counter, they’re able to essentially go shopping in our food pantry,” Captain Maxwell explained.

No Frills in Kingston also partners with The Salvation Army in the annual Christmas Kettle Campaign. Kingston Citadel’s 2022 kettle goal is $320,000 to ensure The Salvation Army is able to provide hope and support to anyone in need this holiday season. Donations can also be made online at www.salvationarmy.ca.