Shawn McEwan, a local Salvation Army food bank volunteer in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has been officially recognized for his work in helping feed some of the community’s most vulnerable people.

He has delivered more than 10,000 boxes of food to local low-income seniors and people with disabilities over the last five years as a driver with the Salvation Army seniors’ mobile food bank.

Shawn was honoured this July with a certificate of appreciation by Salvation Army Major Sean Furey, pastor of Sault Ste. Marie Corps.

“I Like Helping People”

Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Shawn has been volunteering with the Salvation Army food bank for 15 years.

The Salvation Army seniors’ mobile food bank came into being in 2020 as a result of the need to get food to the vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

“It’s a great feeling to deliver food to clients,” says Shawn. “They all smile, and they’re all thankful every time I drive up and come with a box of food. Every time I see them, there’s always a thank you. I like doing it. I like helping people.”

“People come and go, but Shawn’s been there from the start.” MAJOR SEAN FUREY

Demand Never Decreases

Shawn delivers food hampers to clients in low-income buildings once a week.

Clients receive a variety of food items in two different hampers.

The first includes jam, one can of cream soup, one can of vegetable soup, tuna, baked beans, canned vegetables, regular corn, canned fruit, pineapple tidbits, rice, canned tomatoes, cereal, crackers and tea.

The second hamper contains chicken or pork, bacon, margarine, cheese, bagged vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes, one tomato, one orange and one banana.

Eggs, pizza and bread are also delivered, as well as ice cream in the summer.

“There’s a lot of need,” Shawn says. “We have to help these people. They don’t have a great amount of money. So, we came up with this idea for a mobile food bank and it’s been working.”

Though COVID-19 lockdowns are a thing of the past, the Salvation Army seniors’ mobile food bank’s work will continue.

“Demand has never decreased,” Major Sean says.

He estimates that 350,000 pounds of food, at a cost of approximately $750,000, have been delivered through the mobile food bank over the last five years.

Great Partner

As for Shawn’s role in the program?

“Three or four of us go to deliver, and then there are ladies who pack the bags, so there’s probably 12 people who are involved,” Major Sean says.

“People come and go, but Shawn’s been there from the start. This service requires the efforts of a whole team of volunteers, but the one constant over the past five years has been Shawn. He’s done the most deliveries. He’s done nearly every last one of them.”

Major Sean, Salvation Army staff and volunteers presented Shawn with a congratulatory cake at the Salvation Army food bank this past July.

“He’s a fabulous fellow,” Major Sean says. “He’s dependable, reliable, hardworking and honest. He’s got a heart for seniors. I couldn’t ask for a better partner to do this program.”

Reprinted from SooToday, July 18, 2025