Walmart and Metro Supporting The Salvation Army in Napanee to Help Meet Increased Demand for Food
The Salvation Army in Napanee continues to provide nutritious food to those in need in the community thanks to phenomenal partnerships with Walmart and Metro.
The two stores continue to help The Salvation Army fill their food bank with non-perishable food as well as fresh produce, baked goods, high quality meat and meat alternatives. The stores also provide other non-food products like household goods, personal care and hygiene items.
Since moving into the new building at 81 Dairy Avenue last year, The Salvation Army has added space to provide more programming.
“The food bank is a visible part of what we do and there is no denying our numbers have increased substantially since the beginning of the pandemic,” said Abby Mills, Director of Community Ministries at The Salvation Army in Napanee.
Abby says in the first 15 weeks of 2019, the food bank provided over 7,700 pounds of foods to individuals and families in need. During the same time frame this year, over 25,600 pounds of food has been given to clients.
“People who are accessing our services for the first time are expecting a small box of canned goods but when they see the quantity and quality of food, we are able to provide, they are blown away and always tell us how grateful they are,” Abby said.
Donations of food from the stores are also helping to keep food from being thrown out. Some of the items are approaching the best before date but are not past it, however they can no longer be sold. Other donated items are things that have gone out of season or have been returned by customers and still in the original packaging.
Recently, Walmart donated an adult bicycle and microwave to The Salvation Army that was still in its packaging. The Salvation Army donated the bike to Interval House’s youth transitional housing program. The bike is being shared among youth to use for transportation around town. The microwave was donated to a woman who is beginning her new life after leaving a relationship where she was a victim of domestic violence.
The Salvation Army community garden in Napanee is also helping to fill the shelves at the food bank. Volunteers grow fresh produce specifically for the food bank. The garden is located on the property of a local family at no cost. Volunteers grow the vegetables and do the weeding and harvesting and then deliver the produce to The Salvation Army. Local firefighters fill the water receptacles to make sure the garden is well watered.
“We really do appreciate all the work of our volunteers and we are always looking for more people to help both in the community garden and food bank,” said Abby.
To learn more or to get involved please contact The Salvation Army Community and Family Services in Napanee at (613) 354-7633
By: Caroline Franks
