Up to 200 people a day utilize the bagged lunch program offered by the Salvation Army in Prince Albert. (Submitted photo/Shannon Parenteau)

By paNOW Staff

Food insecurity

Plates of Hope gala to support food program in P.A.

Dec 30, 2024 | 4:00 PM

A group of local artists and a caterer are coming together for ‘Plates of Hope’ – an evening of art, music, food and camaraderie in support of those facing food insecurity in the community.

The special event taking place on Jan. 17 at Plaza 88 will feature the work of photographer Shannon Parenteau who captured portraits of about 50 individuals who utilize a bagged lunch program provided by the Salvation Army six days a week in downtown Prince Albert.

“Every face tells a story, and I think it’s important for the community to know that when you think about food insecurity, you may have a vision of who you think uses the program, but it’s not necessarily the individual you picture in your head,” said Parenteau. “It’s our grandmas and grandpas who don’t have enough money left after they pay their mortgage and bills. It’s the elderly and a lot of young children. I knew some of the people…a friend I went to high school with. The father of a friend uses it. There’s a lot more people than you think really suffering right now, trying to make ends meet.”

On any given day, up to 200 people stop by for the bagged lunch. Organizers don’t question anyone’s socio-economic status; they simply feed those who come.

Major Ed Dean, Ministry Lead for the Prince Albert Salvation Army Community Ministries, said the program, which has operated for the last five years, hopes to transition to a plated indoor dining experience.

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“To give them back their dignity,” he said of clients utilizing the program. “To bring them back into a dining setting so that they can sit and enjoy a meal and conversation.”

To make that happen, new equipment and renovations to their kitchen on Central Avenue are needed, along with more funding for the program that is primarily run off of donations through the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign and grants from places like the Prince Albert and Area Community Foundation.

Photographer Shannon Parenteau’s work will be featured at the Plates of Hope Gala Jan. 17 at Plaza 88. (Submitted photo/Shannon Parenteau)

Parenteau hopes the Plates of Hope gala will offer enough support to make a lasting difference in the community. Randy Whitter of My Place Catering will provide appetizers during the evening that will also feature live music by Keifer and Amanda Paul. Guests will have the opportunity to contribute by participating in live and silent auctions while taking in Parenteau’s exhibit.

“They need more money to keep the program going, but to also create a space where individuals can come and sit down and have a plated meal – not just get it in a paper bag,” Parenteau said. “They want to humanize sitting down and having a meal like so many of us get to do and we take for granted…but so many of these individuals don’t get to do that.”

Tickets can be purchased online and every ticket sold up to $25,000 will be matched by Malcolm Jenkins.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com