The Salvation Army in Vernon, B.C., is set to significantly enhance its food bank operations to better serve the community, which has seen a notable increase in the number of working class families requiring assistance. For nearly a decade, the Army has been operating its food distribution from two separate locations—a warehouse for food storage and a church for distribution—leading to inefficiencies that affect service.

To address these challenges, the Army plans to consolidate all food bank activities under one roof in an effort to streamline operations and improve accessibility for clients. The food bank will move into the former thrift store after the building undergoes renovations, which are expected to be completed by early 2025. The thrift store will occupy a new leased space.

The food bank will feature two distinct “markets” for perishable and non-perishable items, allowing individuals to choose what they need rather than receiving pre-packaged hampers. According to Lieutenant Neil Thompson, corps officer, this new choice model aims to provide dignity to recipients and better meet their unique needs. It has been piloted at the church location since July and has received positive feedback from the community and recipients. 

Another significant upgrade will include a large drive-in freezer that can store up to 36 skids of food. “Once food is sorted, it can go directly onto shelves without needing to be refrigerated overnight, picked up in the morning and transported to a separate location,” explains Lieutenant Thompson.

As the cost of living continues to rise across Canada, placing strain on family budgets, many individuals are finding it increasingly difficult to afford necessities. “With everything costing more, from housing and utilities to running your vehicles, there’s less food to go around in families. We’ve heard stories of people having to skip a meal so that their kids can eat, or cut down to two meals a day and sometimes less,” says Lieutenant Thompson. “People just can’t afford to buy as much food as they once did.”

Looking ahead, Lieutenant Thompson hopes that The Salvation Army in Vernon, including the new food bank, will become a beacon of hope for struggling families who know that they have a place to go for support. He also envisions this new food bank as an open door to accessing other Army services, such as Pathway of Hope and church programs: “I see it having this integrated connection across programs where, overall, we are showing and demonstrating the love of Jesus.” 

Photos: Col Lani Chamness