Salvation Army serves several

by Dawn Gray

Residents of Windsor-Essex County can turn to the Salvation Army to provide them with food during hard times and transitional periods.

The food bank at the downtown Salvation Army serves all of Windsor, LaSalle, Amherstsburg and Tecumseh. Many clients have been returning for years while others only use the resource to get by while they look for new employment or until their next paycheck.

People who benefit from the food bank are single people and families who may be experiencing health issues, or are on a fixed income and in need of a little extra help.

“We provide a once a month, three-day emergency supply,” said Natalie Palombo, the Salvation Army’s Life Skills Coordinator.

The food bank serves mostly Canadians but also a large number of immigrants who have been referred to them by other organizations, according to Palombo.

“Both are struggling,” said Palombo. “We’ve built a reputation and a lot of people come here because they are comfortable.”

Christine Perrier benefits from the food bank while she waits for her application to the Ontario Disability Support Program to be approved.

“I’m currently on Ontario Works, which doesn’t give you a lot of money,” said Perrier.

Working as a hair dresser for the past 25 years, Perrier, 47, is now bound to a wheelchair after having her right leg amputated due to diabetes.

“I’m an insulin-dependent diabetic, so a lot of my money has to go to good quality foods,” said Perrier. “Here, I can get my canned goods and the backup foods.”

Perrier usually visits the food bank around the end of the month when she has to stretch the remainder of her Ontario Works income.

“The stuff I get from them allows me a little extra money to get the things I need,” said Perrier.

The downtown location also provides shelter to the homeless, a residential men’s recovery program, drug and alcohol substance abuse support, assistance with anger management and self-esteem issues, parenting classes, cooking classes, resume workshops and lessons on how to correctly budget money.

“We are more than just a food bank,” said Palombo.

The food bank is open every week day from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the year to anyone in need.