Salvation Army Helps Family Through Hard Times and to Build a New Life
Anthony and Thenisa Mason from Drumheller, Alta., are the owners of a family-run hot sauce business called Fermented Fire. Although the business has recently experienced success, the journey to this point was not one without challenges. They credit The Salvation Army with helping them get to where they are today.
“My mother was a single mom and I can’t count the number of times that I got to enjoy a hot Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving meal and had presents under the tree because of The Salvation Army,” Anthony shares.
Years later, Anthony was working as a chef in Banff, Alta., while Thenisa stayed home full-time with their three children. Anthony’s employment was stable, but he admits that sometimes his income just wasn’t enough.
On some occasions, the family had to access The Salvation Army for food assistance.
“I tried to only come to The Salvation Army as a last resort.”
“There were times when I was a chef that we needed them. I tried to only come to The Salvation Army as a last resort because we knew there were so many other people out there struggling.”
Early Struggles
In 2021, using Anthony’s culinary background, the family launched Fermented Fire. The hot sauce business would not only potentially improve their standard of living but also allow them to spend more time together.
While the journey seemed promising, it came with challenges.
“That first year was the most terrifying. We went through some of the hardest times we’d ever been through financially,” Anthony recalls. “We didn’t have investors, saved funds or experience in business. We knew we had created a product with potential but that first year was hard. The Salvation Army helped us out with food multiple times.”
As the business gradually established itself, the Masons always remembered the support that helped them persevere.
“The staff always made me feel comfortable and safe.”
“It was hard to reach out to The Salvation Army for help as we were trying to start a business. I was scared and embarrassed, but the staff always made me feel comfortable and safe,” Thenisa shares.
“I don’t have words to express how important it was that The Salvation Army was there to help us,” Anthony adds.
Giving Back
Once Fermented Fire became stable, the Masons gave back to The Salvation Army. Last year, they sold hot sauce at Drumheller’s Christmas farmer’s market with a special goal—to donate all the profits to the Army.
Their initiative was a success. They raised well over $1,000, surpassing their initial target.
“We sincerely wanted to do something.”
“We gave 100 percent of the proceeds to The Salvation Army. We sincerely wanted to do something from the bottom of our hearts,” Anthony says. “We are just thankful we are in a position that allows us to use our business to give back.”
The couple plans to make this fundraiser an annual tradition.
By Juan Romero
