The Salvation Army Held a Food Drive for World Homelessness Day

by Elliot St. Aubin

A food drive was held by the Salvation Army across Windsor and LaSalle to support the homeless population for World Homeless Day. 

The Salvation Army Windsor Centre for Hope continues to support the community by putting on a food drive raising 2,000 pounds or about 1,542 kilograms of food for their food bank. 

“Our centre’s programs and services are designed to support those who are struggling with food security and homelessness,” said Major Danny Pinksen, the executive director at the Windsor Centre of Hope. “We need support from the community to help keep our food bank supplied.” 

This food drive has allowed the Windsor Centre of Hope to re-stock their shelves which had become almost empty so they can continue supporting those in need. 

“We are so grateful to Riley and his team at Loblaws and for Windsor Police, LaSalle Police and Tailgate takeout for their support,” said Major Pinksen.  

Windsor Police supported the food drive by setting up two of what they called “Stuff A Cruiser” events to help re-stock the food bank as much as possible. 

Windsor Police and the Salvation Army have a partnership to help the homeless population of Windsor. 

They assist the multiple charity events such as this food drive. They provide Trauma Training to councillors at the Salvation Army, assist with community meals on Thursdays and provide Crisis Intervention Training to councillors and much more. 

“So far we’ve stuffed a few cruisers, they are totally full,” said Shannon Barnwell, the communications specialist on the day of the food drive. “We reach roughly 180 people in Windsor every single week.” 

According to a yearly report on the Salvation Army’s website they distributed 260,000 pounds or 121,563 kilograms of food to people in need and homeless people in Windsor alone in 2022. 

“With the housing shortages all over Canada, it’s a huge issue in Canada,” said Barnwell. “So, we are hoping to raise awareness and hopefully we can help those in need.” 

She said they plan on making this food drive the first of many to take place annually on Oct. 10.