Christine Whelan, FEO, August 29, 2024, VOL. 5 ISSUE 26

The Fort Erie Salvation Army Community & Family Services are overwhelmed with the increase of people in need and are working steadily to keep up.

The Salvation Army is a reputable, international organization serving Fort Erie since 1926.

Major / Pastor Nancy Braye, Community Ministries Director for Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, provided an eye-opening comparison between last year and this year. “Our volume has increased significantly,” Nancy reported, “This time last year, from July 1 to August 15, we served 398 individual residents. That same period for 2024, the number of individuals we served was 671.”

“The summertime historically has been a slow time for donations. And, while in the past it has been difficult in the summer, this year, it’s been almost impossible, to the point that we have been doing several food orders, purchasing food, that we don’t normally have to do.”

The Salvation Army will accept whatever people can give. Food donations, gift cards, or monetary donations are all welcome.

“This is a difficult time for everyone, including donors. Anything people can give to help meet the demand they are seeing would be very much appreciated,” Nancy commented

She also encourages community groups to organize fundraisers. “The Salvation Army in Fort Erie has been so well supported by the community historically. It’s a very generous community. We see this, especially at Christmas time. It’s important to remember that people aren’t just in need at Christmas. People are in need all year round.”

The Time of Year is a Challenge

“It’s this time of year — the end of summer, going into fall — that people are struggling. Kids are going back to school. There are extra expenses for families. So, we have seen many more at our food bank.”

Nancy explained that people rely more on the food bank this time of year because they are taking the money budgeted for food and need to spend it on school clothes and supplies, expecting food on the shelves at the food bank.

Change of Demographics

“Previously, we would mainly see those who were on social assistance. Now, we see many seniors, and people who are on Old Age Security pension, and they’re struggling. Some people are working, but are just not able to make those ends meet.”

The organization is finding the numbers overwhelming.

“We just want to be able to continue to meet the need in the way that we always have, and are now looking to the community to support us in this goal.”

Introducing Fort Erie’s New Food Bank Coordinator

This summer, Aaron Thompson took on the on-site, frontline position of Fort Erie’s new Food Bank Coordinator.

Although it’s been what he termed with laughter a “baptism by fire”, he also says it’s been a smooth transition. His predecessor, Dan Levesque, has been showing Aaron the ropes until he returns to college in September.

Aaron and his family are from Comox Valley, Vancouver Island. “We moved here during Covid but returned to Vancouver Island, only to move back again because we felt that here, we had found our community.”

Aaron spent much of his Social Work practice, working for an Indigenous family service agency. “My job was to reunify Indigenous parents with their children who were involved with the Ministry of Family and Children Services.”

He shared that he is naturally wired to help others and gets into conversations wherever he goes where he can provide helpful information. His father was a chaplain in the Armed Forces for 27 years.

“We’re a family of helpers.”

Thompson began painting a picture of the current situation at the Fort Erie Salvation Army. “Our challenge right now is the huge increase in the number of families using our service.”

He also spoke of the necessity to supplement the stock when it gets low. “So, now the monetary donations are dwindling.” The meat freezer currently sits empty.

Increase in Need: A Perfect Storm

“It seems to be that this increase is caused by people being displaced from elsewhere in the Niagara Region, maybe because there are more rental opportunities down here,” Aaron suggested.

“We have our existing clientele from Fort Erie. But I’m also noticing new registrants coming from Hamilton, Welland and St. Catharines.”

He commented, “It’s a perfect storm of affordable housing issues, newcomers to Canada and more locally displaced clientele. We’re feeling more pressure on the food bank in Fort Erie.”

Adding, “It’s vital that we continue to support our existing community and those who have just arrived. That’s been, and will continue to be, the mission of the Salvation Army in Fort Erie.”

Demographics Reflect Hard Times

“We are seeing families that are gainfully employed. We are dealing with high rent and rising mortgage payments. So, it’s either default on the mortgage or buy groceries.”

It’s a different world we live in these days. Homeowners need to access food banks.

Aaron also spoke about the seniors they are meeting, “That’s another demographic that we are seeing — pensioners and retirees.”

He shared a moment that stuck out the most for him, “Two years ago, when we were living on Vancouver Island, I saw a military member in uniform at the food bank.” Referring to both members of the military and senior citizens, he added, “These are people who once contributed to our community and served our country, now having to resort to food bank assistance.”

Shifting the tone, Aaron commented that there’s a wonderful thing about food. “It brings people together, of all different creeds. It serves as a great hub for other services. They may come for food but it’s also an opportunity for us to direct them to different services in the community.”

The Salvation Army in Fort Erie has a Community Program Coordinator, Natalie Beres.

“We just wrapped up a Back-to-School Drive. We had donations of backpacks, shoes, and school supplies. Natalie organized all of that. It was a great help to the community. There were a lot of happy kids, ready for school.”

A Facebook post shared that 105 children registered to receive school supplies for September.

Aaron said, there is also a tax program for anyone who needs assistance with their taxes.

Volunteers

“When a client comes in, we have a volunteer who takes them around to bag up their food. It’s sort of like a personal shopping setup.” Aaron says, that if this trend of increased numbers is consistent, the Salvation Army will need more volunteers.

Anyone interested can stop in. “We have a volunteer application form that they can fill out.”

The Fort Erie Salvation Army Community & Family Services is located at 255 Gilmore Road and is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Donations can be dropped off and cheques can be mailed in. Those providing monetary donations will be given a tax receipt. Perishable food such as produce is always welcome, but please call ahead to arrange a drop off at 905-871-1592.

For more information, you can check out the website: salvationarmyforterie.org

Photos

• Photo of Aaron Thompson provided by Major / Pastor Nancy Braye