Salvation Army offering a new way to provide food assistance in Woodstock

The organization said it has transformed the way food assistance is delivered with a fresher and more culturally diverse selection of food. (Lee Griffi Photo)

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Salvation Army has announced the opening of the HOPE Market at 769 Juliana Drive in Woodstock.

The organization said the transformative approach to food assistance empowers individuals with choice and dignity. Modeled after a grocery store, HOPE Market allows customers to ‘shop’ for their preferred food items at no cost, accommodating dietary needs and cultural diversity.

“HOPE Market represents a significant shift in community support, offering a personalized shopping experience that provides greater independence and reimagines how we deliver food assistance,” said Captain Kristen Gray, corps and community ministries officer at The Salvation Army Woodstock Community Church.

Captain Kristen Gray said it gives their clients a more respectable way to receive help.

“That’s exactly what it is. We were looking for ways to improve the dignity of those we serve, to offer more choice and selection as well as healthier and culturally diverse food options. Having different food also helps us deal with food allergies as well.”

Part of the goal to provide more nutritional goods means asking the public for monetary donations along with donations of actual food.

“It would allow us to purchase food that doesn’t have a long shelf life but provides healthier options. We want to provide more fresh produce as well as a broader selection,” she explained.

The Salvation Army has seen a 20 per cent increase in the number of households they are serving compared to one year ago.

“With the price of groceries continuing to go up, people who are working but don’t have a significant income are still around that poverty line and they just aren’t able to provide the quality of groceries they used to even at that same income.”

Gray added they saw a jump in clients during COVID and initially thought a reduction might come as the pandemic ended, but that didn’t happen, even as inflation has dropped back down to the two per cent range.

“That’s when we saw significant increases in food prices as the economy struggled. We really haven’t seen a decrease at all.”

Gray added the open house is a way for people to see how they have changed the way people in need are able to get help.

“We want the public to see how we are serving and help them understand how they donate and what they donate can make an impact.”

The market officially opened in mid-September and when it comes to the organization’s clients, Gray said the feedback has been very positive to date.

“Folks really appreciate they are able to look at what is in their pantry at home and supplement it. Before, we had a lot of the same food but it was limited as to how it was provided to them. Going to this shopping method really allows people to get what they need.”

Between 250 and 350 Woodstock residents benefit monthly from HOPE Market’s innovative choice-based model, enhancing food security for individuals, seniors, and families by enabling them to select items that best suit their needs.

Community members, donors, and mission partners were invited to a public open house on Thursday and Friday of this week to take a tour to learn more about the HOPE Market, its positive impact on people’s lives, and how community support can make a difference.

The Salvation Army welcomes the support of local food drives but is asking anyone interested to contact them in advance as their storage space is limited.

For more information about the HOPE Market and how the public can help, visit www.woodstocksalvationarmy.ca/hope-market. Access to the HOPE Market is by appointment only by calling 519-539-9345.