Salvation Army hosts fundraising food drive

From left, Tina Rigglesford, Salvation Army Lieutenant Chesney Edwards, and Lieutenant Josh Edwards greeted customers at Sobeys with lemonade and friendly smiles as they hosted their May 30th food drive. 

Leah Bauer

Advocate Contributor

Volunteers and employees of the Salvation Army Simcoe held a fundraiser at Sobeys on Saturday, May 30th to help to keep the shelves stocked at the local food bank.

Sobey’s works alongside the food bank to provide essential food donations all year long. Donations provided by Sobeys include pre-packaged bags of essentials customers can purchase in the store. These donations are then collected by The Salvation Army, and given to those in need.

Local Salvation Army Lieutenant Josh Edwards expressed how needed these donations are in the summer months, “we see an increase in the community members which rely on the food bank during the summer.”

Edwards attributed this increase partly due to “children being home from school, and needing more food.” The summer months can affect families who may rely in part on school food programs for portions of their children’s diets.

In addition to the greater need for food, this is also the time of year when the shelves at local food banks begin to become empty.

“In the summertime there is a greater need for supplies, but the needs of the community are not matched by the food donations coming in during this time of year as most of our donations come in the winter and fall,” said Edwards.

Any and all food provided is very appreciated by both the team at The Salvation Army, as well as community members who use the foodbank. The May 30th fundraiser made a note of requesting canned pastas and peanut butter. These items are useful as they provide sustenance but do not require a full kitchen for preparation. This benefits those who may have precarious living situations and inconsistent access to a kitchen. 

If you missed the fundraiser at Sobeys, donations are also accepted at The Salvation Army office in Simcoe at 184 Colborne Street North, Monday-Friday.