SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. – While people are keeping their distance from each other, some organizations are still working to help those in need.
With a few modifications, the Summerside Salvation Army continues to hand out hampers and serve up lunch in the soup kitchen.
"We did, earlier on, get some extra provisions, so that we’ll be as ready as we can be,” said Major Wayne Green. “We’re in a fairly good place.”
He and his wife, Maj. Rosemary Green, run the Summerside facility.
“It’s not something you can make a plan and stick with - it’s changing all the time,” he said.
They’ve modified some services to limit contact and keep the volunteers and clients safe, said Green.
Salvation Army church services, as well as church programs, are cancelled until the end of April.
The soup kitchen will run as a take-out only from 11:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. Clients are asked to wait in their cars rather than line up at the door. There will be no gathering in the dining area, either and the food bank has opted to hand out hampers just two days per week, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
“We looked at how we could still run the program and limit the exposure as much as we can. That’s the best we can do.”
“We’ve got some committed people here. It’s easy to serve when everything’s great. This is when you prove yourself, I think.”
Volunteers will meet clients at the door. The usual paperwork will be reduced to the client’s name. Many are regulars, said Green. And he has noticed a change in the mood in the clients.
In Crapaud, the South Shore Food Share has seen a spike in families looking for assistance.
Jackie Myers and her sister, Jenny, run the food bank and have helped 20 families in just the last few days.
Normally they serve upwards of 40 families in a month.
“My take on it is that people are scared to spend what little savings they may have if any,” said Myers. “This is uncharted territory for us.”
The food share usually gets by with donations of food, but they do have some savings to fall back on when the supplies are sparse.
They are always accepting donations of food, but these days, Myers said the best way to help - for anyone who wishes to do so - might be to send money.
“Hopefully (we can help) get our little piece of paradise through this crisis.”
In Summerside, the Salvation Army intends the same.
“Our priority at the moment is to meet the needs of the community. Our two programs, the soup kitchen and the food bank, they’re going to stay open as long as we can possibly keep it going,” said Green.
He has told his volunteers to stay home if they feel that’s best, but many continue to show up to help.
“You just bow down in front of them, almost, and say 'thank you',” said Green.
“There are people out there that still need food. So, gotta be here to pass it out to them.”
Cotton has been volunteering with the Salvation Army for over 10 years.
“We’ve got some committed people here,” said Green. “It’s easy to serve when everything’s great. This is when you prove yourself, I think.”
