Major Ed Dean speaking at a meeting discussing ways to end the homeless crisis. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Helping Others

Over 50,000 meals handed out this year by P.A. Salvation Army

Nov 2, 2023 | 3:00 PM

The Prince Albert Food Bank isn’t the only local non-profit seeing a large increase in people needing their help in order to eat.

The Salvation Army is handing out around 200 meals a day, six days a week. Through the first 10 months of 2023, they’ve handed out around 50,000 meals.

In previous years, they averaged around 60 meals a day, three days a week.

Major Ed Dean told paNOW everyone who has asked for a meal has received one, however, he’s worried this might not be the case if things continue to get worse.

“We definitely need funds to come in. As you’re aware, groceries have gone up in cost and if you add more meals to your table then you know what that cost is like,” he said.

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Along with food, the Salvation Army has had to pay quite a bit for disposable dishes and utensils. During a meeting this week on the homeless crisis, Dean explained there spending around $150 on disposable bowls for roughly every two meals.

He’s confident they can manage for the rest of the year as they plan on using the funds raised during the annual Kettle Campaign.

One way the Salvation Army is trying to save costs is by turning the recently closed Thrift Store into a kitchen and dining room. This would eliminate the need for disposable items as they would be able to use regular dishes and utensils and just have someone clean them after being used.

The only problem is that the cost of renovating the Thrift Store will be expensive.

“I know the appliances alone are $120,000, so it’s a huge project,” said Dean.

He added they’re expecting to get support from the federal and prairie branches of the Salvation Army. They’re also applying for different grants and plan on holding different fundraisers.

They’re also accepting donations from the community.

“We know that there are some very generous people in our community, so if they want to see a legacy live on…that’s a legacy living on by contributing to this project,” said Dean.

Meanwhile, the Kettle Campaign will get underway right after Remembrance Day.

The first kettle will be set up at the Wholesale Club on Nov. 12. All other locations will have their kettles starting on Nov. 23.

Dean is hoping people will volunteer to take part in the campaign.

“People are ten times more likely to (donate) when there’s somebody there,” he said.

More information, including how to donate and volunteer, can be found on the Salvation Army’s website.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow