Salvation Army emergency disaster services (EDS) teams supported those affected by the quick and violent storm that ravaged southern Ontario in May. The storm uprooted trees, knocked down hydro poles and caused widespread power outages. City officials reported that it would be a multi-day effort to restore power.

The City of Ottawa set up reception centres for those without power to recharge their devices, access the internet, take a warm shower, and access food and water. The Salvation Army EDS dispatched to these centres to serve breakfast, snacks and hot meals for dinner. In two and a half days, volunteers and staff served 4,000 meals, 3,800 snacks and more than 8,000 bottles of water, juice and coffee.

“We were seeing a lot of people without power at home and no food because they were without refrigeration. It was good to know that we could be there to support them,” says Sandra Randall, executive director at Ottawa’s Bethany Hope Centre. The Bethany Hope Centre was closed following the storm due to a lack of power, so the staff were available to help at the reception centres.

 Ottawa resident Crystal Ann Roebuck visited the reception centre where her children could have warm showers and play in the playground. They were also glad to discover there was a hot meal ready for them. Roebuck’s family often gives clothing, toys and monetary donations to The Salvation Army. “We can see how our donations are being used and it makes us want to donate even more,” she says. “It has been a rough situation, but it’s nice to have a spot where everyone feels like we’re going through this together.”

 Further south, Ajax’s Hope Community Church assisted in Ajax and Uxbridge, Ont., where a tornado was confirmed to have touched down. “We wanted to bring a neighbourly connection to people and to give them the space to relax and cool off during a difficult time,” says Captain Jason Sabourin, corps officer.

The Salvation Army already has a presence in both communities, operating street ministry and meal outreach programs, so Captain Sabourin says it was easy to transition to emergency response with the mobile food services vehicle. The team set up at an Ajax recreation centre to meet with residents and provide food and water.

“Often what people are looking for is some practical conversation to alleviate their stress and be assured that everything will be all right,” says Captain Sabourin.

The Salvation Army also provided support to the Township of Scugog. For two days at the local fire station, about 90 people stopped by for food, emotional support and friendly conversation.

“Everyone was so grateful and so appreciative. Even the people that did not want anything from us, they were so thankful that we were out there to assist,” says Leigh Rowney, food services director with the Army’s community and family services in Oshawa, Ont., who made the trip to Caesarea to hand out drinks and snacks from the mobile food services vehicle.