News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes 

Serving lunch today at the Salvation Army was an eye-opening experience for City staff volunteers. Record numbers are lining up for breakfast and lunch at the Salvation Army this year, and people signing up for food boxes at the food bank are at least a 300% increase from last year. Five City staff members, including Mayor Kerry Cook, spent an hour serving hearty, well-prepared food to long lines of clients. 

Mayor Kerry Cook has been a lunch server at the Salvation Army for many years, and today she was joined by City Bylaw Enforcement Officer Brad Mcrae, Deputy Director of Municipal Services Danny Moxey, Director of Corporate Services Sue Moxey and City Planner Liliana Dragowska. 

After lunch the group was given a tour of the Salvation Army by Shandi Warkentin, Community Service Coordinator. They walked through the food bank, where Shandi explained that although the shelves look filled right now, there is only enough food to fill the high need in the community for one month. She said that more space is needed to store food, and that upcoming changes will include the upstairs church being moved across the street to the old Bingo Hall and the food bank being moved upstairs. 

The tour continued into the drop-in centre, where some minor renovations have given a bright new look. Fresh paint on the walls, the coffee bar area and the floors make the space look bright and inviting, and Shandi described the programs that their clients enjoy, such as fitness classes, guitar class, basic budgeting class. There is a pool table and other games, crafts and more. 

Shandi said that major changes have been made in the Salvation Army drop-in operations so that it is safer for families, including security cameras and a friendly cooperation with the RCMP. She explained that upcoming changes will include upgrades to the main kitchen, but that they desperately need improvements in the plumbing, hot water heaters and more.

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