More Than a Food Bank

Food insecurity is affecting more people than ever before. In this article, first published in Salvationist magazine in The Salvation Army’s Canada and Bermuda Territory, Abbigail Oliver explores how The Salvation Army is responding to this growing need.

What sets The Salvation Army apart is that our work extends beyond meeting immediate physical needs. Providing food and other essentials has always been a vital part of our mission, but lasting change requires more than practical assistance alone. People facing hardship need to be seen as individuals, not statistics. They need dignity, encouragement and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Sometimes, the greatest gift we can offer is time: time to listen, to understand and to walk alongside someone as they move towards a brighter future.

Food insecurity is rising across Canada and, while The Salvation Army is well placed to respond through its network of food banks, its work extends far beyond providing food.

Across the movement’s Canada and Bermuda Territory, 220 community centres offer food banks alongside a wide range of practical support. For many people, collecting food is the first step towards accessing help with housing, employment, addiction recovery and other challenges. ‘We are so much more than just food banks,’ says Peter Thomas, Community Services Consultant, who supports local Salvation Army centres. ‘Food, shelter and a safe place are the first step, but the goal is not simply to provide a meal today. It’s to help people change their circumstances so they no longer need us in the same way.’

People need reliable access to nutritious food without having to choose between paying rent and buying groceries.

Ryan Daw (left) received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of his contribution to the community in Fort Frances, Ontario. ‘I’ve always simply tried to serve my community to the best of my ability, so it was an honour to have that work recognised,’ he says. He is pictured with Community Ministry Worker Courtney Dolph (right).

Growing need

Each year, more people are turning to food banks for support. Thomas says food insecurity is no longer confined to traditionally vulnerable groups but is affecting an increasingly broad cross-section of society.

In Huntsville, Ontario, around 26 per cent of households experience some level of food insecurity, while almost one in three struggle to afford enough nutritious food. Many households spend between 70 and 90 per cent of their income on housing, leaving little for essentials.

‘When people think of Muskoka (the region in Ontario where Huntville is situated), they picture wealth and holiday cottages, but that isn’t always the reality,’ says Major Dwayne LeDrew, who leads The Salvation Army’s work in Huntsville. ‘Food insecurity is one of the most pressing social challenges in our region. It affects a wide range of individuals and families.’

On the west coast, the food bank in Williams Lake, British Columbia, has recorded a nine per cent increase in demand this year after experiencing a 30 per cent rise the previous year. ‘Rising living costs are placing increased pressure on households,’ says Tamara Robinson, Community Ministries Director.

The same pattern is evident in Fort Frances, Ontario, where increasing numbers of people, including many older adults, are relying on food support. ‘When we arrived three years ago, we distributed around 40,000 pounds of food each year. Today we’re providing well over 80,000 pounds annually,’ says Ryan Daw, Community and Family Services Co-ordinator. ‘People need reliable access to nutritious food without having to choose between paying rent and buying groceries.’

We want to break the cycle of poverty, and food is only the beginning. Housing, education and long-term support are what make our approach different.

Looking beyond food

In every community, local leaders agree that the challenge extends beyond hunger, and so must the response. Many people facing food insecurity are also experiencing housing instability, poor health or social isolation.

The Salvation Army’s approach is therefore built around long-term support rather than one-off transactions. Programmes such as Pathway of Hope seek to address the underlying causes of poverty through personalised support and case management. Food banks often provide the first opportunity to build those relationships. ‘We see food as one way of welcoming people through our doors,’ explains Thomas. ‘It gives us the opportunity to connect, have conversations and listen. That first contact might lead to children’s camps, employment programmes or other forms of support. We want to break the cycle of poverty, and food is only the beginning. Housing, education and long-term support are what make our approach different.’

At the Halifax Centre of Hope, Keely Brower says many people arrive looking for food but leave with something equally important. ‘Often the most significant thing isn’t the food itself. It’s being seen, known and treated with dignity,’ she says. ‘We also connect people with housing support, income assistance and Pathway of Hope. The food bank is often the gateway to everything else we offer.’

For Ryan, the food bank is about restoring hope as much as meeting practical need.

‘We help however we can, whether that’s food, practical assistance or simply sitting with someone during a difficult moment,’ he says. ‘Behind every request is a story, and we want people to be met with compassion rather than judgement.’

Keely Brower welcomes guests to the Halifax Centre of Hope food bank.

A stronger network

Across Canada and Bermuda, 82 Salvation Army centres are members of Food Banks Canada, the national network working to tackle food insecurity. Membership provides access to food supplies, training, research and shared standards, helping local food banks strengthen the support they provide.

‘Membership gives us access to national food sourcing, training and research,’ says Major LeDrew. ‘It strengthens both our capacity and our ability to serve the community.’ Food Banks Canada’s National Standards of Excellence cover governance, people management, financial accountability, public engagement, client care and food safety. ‘The process has raised the standard of how we operate,’ says Thomas. ‘It helps ensure our local centres meet recognised national standards.’

For Ryan, membership also provides reassurance during times of crisis. ‘Being part of Food Banks Canada means we’re connected to a national network that understands the challenges we face. It also provides security, knowing we’ll be able to keep our shelves stocked even when demand feels overwhelming.’

He remembers the impact of severe flooding in September 2025, when a burst water main filled the food bank building with sludge and clay, forcing operations to stop. ‘It was a real crisis for us. We made one call to Food Banks Canada, and they immediately sent an entire pallet of food,’ he recalls. ‘That’s more than a transaction. It’s knowing you’re not alone and that someone understands the urgency of the situation.’

Food remains a critical need, but it is only one part of The Salvation Army’s response to poverty. Food banks, community meals and mobile food services often provide the first opportunity to build relationships and connect people with wider support.

Raising standards

Alongside Food Banks Canada membership, many Salvation Army food banks have completed a rigorous accreditation process. Of the 82 centres connected to the network, 52 are now accredited, with many more working towards accreditation.

The process reviews every aspect of food bank operations, including food safety, policies, reporting and the dignity with which people are served. It involves self-assessment, documentation and external evaluation, and can take several months to complete. Huntsville became one of the first Salvation Army centres in the territory to achieve accreditation in April 2025.

‘We were already doing much of this work, but it wasn’t always formally documented,’ says Major LeDrew. ‘The process helped us strengthen our systems and record good practice.’ Today, resources developed by accredited Salvation Army centres are being shared by Food Banks Canada to help other organisations.

‘There are excellent resources available, including templates, training, webinars and direct support,’ says Keely. ‘You’re not expected to do it on your own.’

When Food Banks Canada representatives visited Fort Frances to carry out its accreditation review, Ryan found the experience encouraging rather than intimidating. ‘They weren’t simply checking policies. They genuinely wanted to understand our philosophy and the way we support people. It felt much more like a collaborative conversation than an inspection, and they offered valuable ideas to help us improve.’

A lasting impact

Food remains a critical need, but it is only one part of The Salvation Army’s response to poverty. Food banks, community meals and mobile food services often provide the first opportunity to build relationships and connect people with wider support.

‘The food bank is a vital expression of our mission,’ says Tamara. ‘It has helped us build trusted relationships within the community. Those connections allow us to understand people’s circumstances more fully and walk alongside them.’

Thomas believes that lasting change is always the goal. ‘We want to break the cycle of poverty. We want to reduce hardship. That’s what we’re working towards. Food is only the beginning.’