Moose meat has traditionally been a staple food in Newfoundland and Labrador, not only because of its delicious taste but also due to its cultural and emotional significance.

Recently, The Salvation Army in Corner Brook, N.L., received a large donation of moose meat, allowing them to serve more than 1,000 meals to clients at their soup kitchen.

The donation was made possible by local hunters who have brought moose meat to The Salvation Army for the past 17 years.

“They like what The Salvation Army does in the community,” says Major Brian Wheeler, pastor at the Army’s Corner Brook Community Church. “They see that we do good work. They’ve taken very much a liking to our soup kitchen and see it as something valuable to the community, so they want to support it.”

Healthy Option

The moose meat is well-liked by the clients. Many of the guests at the soup kitchen would not normally have a chance to enjoy it at home, so being able to eat this during their visits is a pleasant surprise.

“The folks that come here don’t have an opportunity to get moose meat themselves. They are either seniors or low-income individuals, so when they get a chance to have that, it’s a treat,” Major Brian explains. “In addition, moose meat is healthier than other things you can buy in a grocery store. It’s organic and it’s lean, so it doesn’t have a lot of fat. It is a very healthy option.”

Great Support, Great Meals

The availability of moose meat enables the Army’s kitchen staff to incorporate it into various meals, allowing them to save money for other food items.

“It gives us greater flexibility” says Major Brian. “For anything you would use ground beef or ground pork in, we can use the moose meat as a substitute. And we’re getting the moose meat at no cost.”

The savings have greatly benefited the soup kitchen, particularly this year when demand for services has increased. Major Brian says they have seen a 10-percent rise in the number of guests, which he attributes to the high cost of groceries.

“I just want to give a big thank you from The Salvation Army and all our guests enjoying the meals. This is a great encouragement to our volunteers to see that type of support that allows them to make some great meals.”