A heat wave in the Prince Albert area brought more people seeking cool drinks and meals to the Salvation Army. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Salvation Army Summer

Heat wave means busy times for Salvation Army

Jul 21, 2022 | 4:00 PM

A heat wave that swept through Prince Albert and much of the rest of Saskatchewan last week made for a higher demand for services for the Salvation Army in Prince Albert. With the heat wave only wrapping up early this week, it kept things busy for quite some time.

In general, the kinds of services the Salvation Army offers shifts somewhat as the weather does, with winter coats and hot meals no longer needed like they are in January. The heat wave brought more people seeking the summer services they do offer.

“We do offer cold water bottles for the homeless in case they need it when it gets really hot during the summertime,” said Avery McKenzie, a sales associate with the Salvation Army Thrift Store. “We do provide an air-conditioned place for them to sit for a bit and some nice cold meals as well, so that way they’re not overheating with a hot, piping soup in plus-40 weather.”

Another thing that changes for many organizations in the summer is the number of people who are around to volunteer or offer their money. People spend more time at the cottage or use their holidays during the warmer months, which is a trend the Salvation Army is aware of.

“Around this time of year, during the summertime, when people are going traveling, there aren’t a lot of people donating,” said McKenzie. “We try our best to get the homeless more food, more water, and show them that we’re still here to help them.”

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As for people who are still around during the summer and looking to help, one of the best things they can do for the Salvation Army is fairly simple: donate. The money gets put to a lot of different uses ranging from day-to-day to long-term ideas to help those in need.

“The cash helps us to support more of the meals that are quite essential,” McKenzie said. “Sometimes we even use it for housing as well. We work with the YWCA quite often to help homeless people or those in need.”

McKenzie added he knows some people come to them looking for help with kids who are home for the summer and sometimes they’ve provided school supplies to those children to help them if they need to learn at home. He also said they will be holding a back-to-school sale later on in the season.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP