Salvation Army HOPE Market Brings Relief and Dignity to Families in Need

With such strict dietary restrictions, grocery shopping became a stressful experience, increasing food insecurity for her and her family, as Christal often found it difficult to afford enough food to meet their specialized needs.

“When my daughter first started eating solid foods, there was only 10 percent of the grocery store I could shop from,” Christal recalls.

But with help from The Salvation Army’s innovative HOPE Market in Woodstock, Christal can now find healthy, allergy-safe food for her family without having to take away from other priority areas in terms of budgeting. The HOPE Market, a bright, airy grocery-style setup, offering more fresh fruits, vegetables, and allergy-free items, has made all the difference in ensuring the family has enough food.

Christal’s story is just one example of how the HOPE Market changes lives by addressing the high cost of living for families and individual needs such as dietary preferences. Captain Kristen Gray, corps officer at The Salvation Army in Woodstock, says the new approach reflects a commitment to care for the whole person, and a new inventory system ensures that both non-perishable and fresh food is consistently available.

“The HOPE Market represents a transformative shift in how we support our community,” Captain Gray says. “By empowering individuals to choose food that meets their needs, we’re restoring dignity and independence for those we assist.”

Captain Gray adds that the market, which averages between 250 and 350 customers a month, is also better suited to meet the needs of new Canadians by offering expanded access to cultural food choices and ingredients.

School snacks, apples and oranges are in greatest demand and can be dropped off at the HOPE Market from Monday to Friday at 769 Juliana Drive in Woodstock.

Support life-changing Salvation Army programs and services in your community by donating at www.salvationarmy.ca or calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.