The Salvation Army of Lloydminster is well prepared for the coming months and is ready to help those in need.
Major Bond Jennings says they will be able to meet the community’s needs if people are still unable to get back to work as the businesses within the city re-open. He says they initially thought the demand was lowering over the past few months, but it has actually stayed relatively the same.
“It has been consistent. We’ve been seeing roughly the same number of people. We’re doing things differently so it looked like different. When people aren’t coming into the building you don’t realize that you’re still seeing the same number [of people].”
The food bank has adapted to the COVID-19 guidelines and made some changes to the way they operate. The organization has been booking appointments three mornings a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with 15 minute intervals between food hamper pick-ups.
Jennings describes the transition to implementing the guidelines at the food bank as “different.”
“The stress of the situation and being so cautious over things and doing things that we’re so abnormal to us. We like to come in and meet with people individually and getting to know the person. Taking a bag of food to the curb and walking away from it and letting the person come get it has been strange.”
The new physical distancing guidelines aren’t ideal for the organization. Jennings says they will often have conversations with individuals and provide with more resources along with the food hamper.
“Bringing a bag to the curbside is not the way we like to do things but right now it’s a necessary thing.”
Jennings says despite all the changes they’ve always had the community’s support behind them and he’s thankful for that.
“We feel blessed by the community that they’ve entrusted us with their money and resources to help people. We want to give a big thank you to the community, individuals and organizations that have supported us over the last number of months and I know will continue to support us in the days ahead.”