The Meal Centre
The Meal Centre provides a nutritious lunch six days a week to anybody who is hungry. A plate of hearty stew and a bun is free. We also offer a "full meal deal," such as spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, dessert, and coffee for $1.00.
Some people come to the Meal Centre because they are lonely. It’s not that they can’t afford food; they just don't want to sit in their apartments all by themselves, Some of them are seniors who have asked, "Can we please pay for this?" Others have struggles and just need to be around people – not even to talk – just to be with someone. People who are on welfare are invited to purchase a monthly meal card for $20.00 when their cheque arrives, so no matter what else happens to their money, they are sure of getting one good meal a day.
We employ professional cooks at the Meal Centre. As well, there are usually about ten volunteers every day who help with sorting, cooking, and clean-up. Our program for feeding the hungry is strongly supported by local businesses that donate so much of the food, and it is heavily dependent on the volunteers who willingly sacrifice their time.
Each morning, volunteers report to various businesses in town to collect surplus baked goods, produce, and broken cases. When the trucks arrive back at the Centre, the cook will look at perishables that need to be used right away and may adjust the day’s menu based on what has come in.
The Daily Bread Room
Each day, all the donated goods have to be sorted. Five or six volunteers spend several hours bagging. In one room, they sort all the bread products, and in another room, they sort all the fruit and vegetables. These will be available to people as they leave the meal centre after lunch. They can take a bag of vegetables and a bag or baked goods. As well, some families who don't use the Meal Centre come once or twice a week to get food that will help stretch their grocery money.
Holiday Dinners
What could be worse than being alone and hungry on a holiday? Each year, we serve traditional, sit-down dinners to several hundred people at Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. These events help make the holidays a little more joyful for those who come.
School Lunch box Program
The Salvation Army responded to the needs of hungry children in our local schools by starting its School Lunch Box Program. Bagels, muffins, fruit juices, granola bars, and cheese packs are just a few of the items that The Salvation Army provides. Students who need lunch, breakfast, or even just a snack, no longer have to go hungry. This is a situation where everybody wins. The children are able to concentrate on their lessons, the teachers find it easier to teach them, and ultimately the community reaps the benefits.
Your ongoing financial support of The Salvation Army in Abbotsford
and Mission ensures that great programs like this one continue to grow.
