Weekly Community Meal Brings Different People Together
At The Salvation Army in Chatham-Kent, Ont., people from different backgrounds, economic situations and facing various challenges, come together once a week to share lunch.
Some of these individuals are experiencing homelessness while others may have stable housing but are facing loneliness or isolation. Regardless of their circumstances, they sit together to eat and connect.
This all happens at Chatham-Kent’s free weekly community meal, which is hosted each Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. and serves 35 to 50 people.
While this initiative had been in place for years, it wasn’t until 2026 that it became a sit-down meal program. When newly appointed Captains Lana and Lieutenant Jamie Ansley arrived, they thought that, instead of providing takeout meals, this could be a good opportunity to bring neighbours together.
“We noticed many people in the community, and that we were assisting at the food bank, were feeling isolated,” Captain Lana shares. “So we felt inspired to give them a healthy environment where they could come to interact.”
The meal also serves as a support to those struggling financially. Captain Lana says that in the past year, the number of people accessing food assistance at The Salvation Army has increased. Rising costs have made it difficult for older adults on fixed incomes and newcomer families in the region to stay afloat.
The community meal helps those struggling by providing them with nutritious food and a welcoming environment. It is attended by families with children, couples and singles, and range in age from young children to seniors.
For Captain Lana, one of the things she values the most about the program is seeing people who might not otherwise interact sitting at the same table.
“When guests come in, they all sit together as equals,” she says. “Everyone who attends is treated fairly, and we do our best to make them feel like they are in a safe place.”
Another positive aspect of this weekly meal is the inclusion of members of Community Living, an organization that supports people with diverse abilities. They volunteer alongside their support staff, and they assist in cooking, setting up, serving lunch to guests and cleaning up.
“Our volunteers from Community Living feel so proud of giving back. It makes them feel good about themselves, and it’s nice to see them enjoying the experience,” Captain Lana adds.
The fact that everyone involved in the program comes from different walks of life shows that the intended goal of bringing people together has been successful.
This weekly gathering also allows The Salvation Army to connect clients to other services within the organization.
“We are getting to know people, and they are getting to know us. The community meal gives us the opportunity to talk to them and show them how we can assist further,” Captain Lana says.
While providing nourishment to those in need is important, The Salvation Army in Chatham-Kent also prides itself on building relationships and fostering fellowship.
By Juan Romero
