Salvation Army Owen Sound is happy to be able to finish 2022 by being able to serve community members in person as they take a look back at the past year.
Community and Family Services Co-ordinator Alice Wannan says it was nice to be able to open their doors this past fall, after having to be shuttered for so long thanks to COVID.
“I think, probably, our happiest moment was when we were finally able to open our doors again, which was really not until October, almost November, this last year. We had been in lockdown for that entire time. So being able to open our doors and serve people inside again, was certainly a great moment for us.”
She says that as far as the lockdown goes, the Salvation Army was still able to serve people in a safe way, but it is more enjoyable to be able to sit and talk with clients.
COVID lockdowns weren’t the only issues they had to deal with, because they also saw an increased demand for the Salvation Army’s services, including the food bank.
“We certainly saw an increase in people, and certainly saw people we had never seen before at the food bank. For people with jobs that paid near minimum wage, those folks were now not making it anymore. The increase in gas, the increase in food… we were hearing repeatedly why they needed to reach out to us for help. So we certainly saw many new families we’d never served before at the food bank.”
She said that ahead of the big winter storm expected to roll through Grey and Bruce Counties, clients were nervous about the impending weather, and were desperate to stock their own shelves just in case.
Wannan says that they have outstanding community support helping them be able to serve those in need, especially with their annual Christmas Kettle Campaign, which wraps up at 4 pm on Christmas Eve.
“Our goal was $85,000, and as of [December 21st], we were at $62,000. It seems like a big way to go… but it’s very much doable in this last week.”
Unfortunately, they had to end the Kettle portion early due to the inclement weather, at $10,000 short of their goal.
Luckily, if anyone wants to donate, they can do so without even going out into the wintery weather — donations are being accepted through the Salvation Army website to either the Owen Sound or Saugeen Shores locations, over the phone at 519-371-0957, and you can even send them a cheque with Kettle Campaign as the memo.
When looking ahead to 2023, Wannan says that for the New Year, she’s hoping that costs for things like food and fuel calm down, to make life easier for everyone.
“I don’t even think it’s a reasonable expectation, but we’re hoping that the cost of things level out. Obviously, we’re seeing many people that don’t have a place to live or a safe place to live because of the cost of housing.”
