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<\/p>\nEmergency response teams from The Salvation Army spent several days in Uxbridge following the May 21 windstorm that swept across the province. A tornado is confirmed to have touched down in the city, making it one of the hardest hit areas in Ontario.<\/p>\n
\u201cSalvation Army Hope Community Church in Ajax assisted in both Uxbridge and Ajax, providing water, hot and cold drinks, and snacks to make life just a little bit easier for residents,\u201d says Captain Jason Sabourin with Hope Community Church.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to bring a neighbourly connection to people and to give them the space to relax and cool off during a difficult time,\u201d Captain Jason explains.<\/p>\n
\u201cOften what people are simply looking for is some practical conversation to alleviate their stress and be assured that everything will be alright.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Over several days, a combined 275 meals, 400 snacks, 200 bottles of water, 60 bottles of juice, coffee and fruit was handed out to residents in both Uxbridge and Ajax.<\/p>\n
The Salvation Army already has a presence in both communities, operating street ministry and meal outreach programs, so Captain Jason says it was easy to transition to emergency response with the mobile food services vehicle.<\/p>\n
Hope Community Church has only had the vehicle for just over a year, and this is the first time it has been used to assist in an emergency. The team set up at a Town of Ajax recreation centre to meet with residents and provide food and water.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a good crew of people that are trained to respond with the vehicle, and we will be available for as long as we are needed,\u201d Captain Jason says.<\/p>\n