In the small community of Napanee, The Salvation Army\u2019s Food Bank has seen a 50% increase in people using their services this past year.\u00a0 This ongoing need for services has seen a sharp incline throughout the early months of 2020 as community members are faced with insecurities around food, necessities and employment due to the COVID-19 virus.<\/p>\n
The Napanee Salvation Army\u2019s Food Bank has continued to serve the increased need in their community, while also taking steps to keep their community members safe throughout these uncertain times.<\/p>\n
The Food Bank has transitioned from within a building where clients were in close proximity, to an outdoor tented area where there is more opportunity to practice social distancing.<\/p>\n
Pre-boxed food and other necessities are placed on the table, where families pick up their items. By following this method, there is less time spent sanitizing between families, and there is more time available to help people.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have the opportunity to connect with people, find out how they are doing, and if there is any additional supports we can offer them, such as toilet paper,\u201d says Abby Mills, Director of Community Ministries at the Napanee Salvation Army. \u00a0\u201cWe can look after them to the very best of our ability.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Napanee Salvation Army is building relationships in the community through their Food Bank services and is continuing to feed their community during this difficult time.<\/p>\n
One family that was recently helped by the Food Bank was a father who had been laid off due to workplace closures from the COVID-19 virus.<\/p>\n
The Napanee Salvation Army staff showed compassion and understanding towards him and his family as he accessed the Food Bank service.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe became choked up as he was helped because the spirit of generosity and genuine care overwhelmed him,\u201d said Abby. \u201cPeople have a perception that The Salvation Army is here to help only a specific type of person, but the reality is we are here to help people in whatever capacity we can with their particular need.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to the Food Bank services, The Napanee Salvation Army is also providing links to online church services through their Facebook page.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe online services are an opportunity to introduce people to church in a non-threatening way, they can experience church without having the hurdle of going into a church full of people they don\u2019t know,\u201d said Abby.<\/p>\n