The Salvation Army Food Bank in Bowmanville Nearly Full Thanks to Community Support

Community spirit in Bowmanville remains as full as the shelves at The Salvation Army Food Bank. In light of the challenges COVID-19 has created in living “normal” lives, goodness and charity continues to be the driving force. That desire to help is strong in Bowmanville and Clarington, a largely rural area east of Toronto.

While other food banks across Canada are struggling to maintain supplies in the midst of the pandemic, Major Roy Snow at the Bowmanville church is having no such problem.

“We’re well stocked. Our cupboards and fridges are full and people are walking out with $100 worth of food,” said Major Snow, adding that there is room for more supply.

“There is still space (on the shelves). We haven’t been inundated with the numbers we’d envisioned,” he said. His theory is that Bowmanville has become a lower cost bedroom community for Toronto and “the people who have been mostly affected by the pandemic are too proud to come to a food bank.”

The Salvation Army Food Bank in Bowmanville is still open by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays by calling 905-623-2185, but if a client shows up without an appointment and staff aren’t busy the client can still be accommodated.

People are feeling a strong sense of community and are looking to support their friends and neighbours through support and giving.

“I just don’t think ‘thank you’ does justice to the commitment people are showing us in being willing to help out,” said Major Snow, noting that people are locally-minded with strong social connections.

That connection is reflected in a recent donation from King Street Pools in Bowmanville. The company provided $1000 to The Toasted Walnut restaurant on King Street in Bowmanville. The restaurant then prepared easily frozen meals like casseroles, lasagna and shepherd’s pie to The Salvation Army food bank for distribution to families in need.

“This restaurant is suffering, but they are managing because of that donation and we’re benefiting because of it,” said Major Snow. He encouraged Bowmanville residents to support these two companies as a thank you for their donation to The Salvation Army and the clients they serve.

The Salvation Army in Bowmanville continues to hold food drives to fill its shelves, including a drive through this past weekend. Should you have items you wish to donate, Community and Family Services can be reached at 905-623-2185.

By: Chris McGregor