{"id":2509,"date":"2022-06-30T22:37:10","date_gmt":"2022-06-30T22:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/salvationarmy.ca\/ontario\/ajax-mayors-gala-raises-135000-for-salvation-army-commercial-kitchen\/"},"modified":"2025-05-28T08:45:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T08:45:10","slug":"ajax-mayors-gala-raises-135000-for-salvation-army-commercial-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salvationarmy.ca\/ontario\/2022\/06\/ajax-mayors-gala-raises-135000-for-salvation-army-commercial-kitchen\/","title":{"rendered":"Ajax Mayor\u2019s Gala Raises $135,000 For Salvation Army Commercial Kitchen"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThe Ajax Mayor\u2019s Gala World Cruise\u201d raised $135,000 to complete a commercial kitchen in the new Salvation Army Community Building at 35 King\u2019s Crescent in Ajax.<\/p>\n

The two-storey seven and a half-million-dollar building currently under construction is just over 20,000 sq. ft. and includes a worship space in what is being called a gymnatorium for multi-use. The centre will be available to any group or organization in need of a place to meet and hold events.<\/p>\n

Salvation Army Pastor Jason Sabourin says the commercial kitchen will allow them to offer more hot meals and programming in the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, we provide a few lunch meals during the week in-house and deliver to two shelters off-site. The new commercial kitchen will allow us to expand on that,\u201d said Pastor Jason . \u201cWe will have greater functionality and greater range and be able to offer sit down meals for our special seasonal dinners.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pastor Sabourin says the new commercial kitchen will also allow The Salvation Army to offer cooking classes for job skills to possibly turn into employment, in addition to a class on learning to cook on a budget. The large kitchen will also increase their food support during large disasters in the area.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Mayor\u2019s Gala has been supporting The Salvation Army for many years and this year the team was so generous and we are grateful for their support,\u201d said Pastor Sabourin. \u201cAt this year\u2019s gala we were the charity of choice and the cruise ship theme and entertainment made it such a fun event!\u201d<\/p>\n

Over the last four years, the Mayor\u2019s Gala has raised just over $700,000 for local charities in the community that make a profound impact. In the first year the Mayor\u2019s Gala supported The Salvation Army\u2019s outreach vehicle and funds have also supported the lockers at the town hall.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the things we set out to do is fund community initiatives that will have an impact for decades to come. This commercial kitchen will benefit residents for as long as this building stands,\u201d said Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier. \u201cThe Salvation Army is a hub that serves so many people affected by homelessness and food insecurity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur vision for this building has been a labour of love. We have great support from our community, including the Mayor\u2019s Gala, and we are so appreciative,\u201d said Pastor Sabourin.<\/p>\n

Construction on the new kitchen will be complete by late October and The Salvation Army will be moving into the new building by the end of the year.<\/p>\n

To donate to The Salvation Army please visit salvationarmy.ca or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.<\/p>\n

By:\u00a0 Caroline Franks<\/p>\n