How Corporate Partnerships Increase Resources and Effectiveness of Salvation Army Programs

Target team members help with activities at Salvation Army after-school reading program
by SalvationArmy.ca
Categories: Articles, Feature, Mobile, Newswire
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As part of its commitment to help alleviate hunger and end poverty across Canada, Target has partnered with The Salvation Army to provide healthy meal options to children across the country.

“Target Canada is a critical partner in ensuring that youth in our country have access to sufficient and nutritious food,” says Major Les Marshall, The Salvation Army’s Territorial Public Relations and Development Secretary.

“There isn’t a lot of food in my house,” says one Grade 5 student who receives a healthy lunch from The Salvation Army in Regina. “Sometimes there is nothing in our refrigerator.”

The Regina school feeding program is one of 22 Salvation Army locations across the country supported by Target Canada’s generous donation of $160,000.

Target Canada team members are also a critical component of the partnership. In 2014 they invested 180 hours of their time to various Salvation Army services that include sorting donated food items, serving community meals, working in food banks and helping with activities at an after-school reading program.

“Our team members understand the importance of giving back to their communities,” says Diane Gordon, Group Manager, Target Canada. “We are pleased to know that our donation to The Salvation Army is helping to feed hungry children across the country.”

Volunteers and partnerships improve the effectiveness of Salvation Army programs and are essential to what we accomplish in a day. Giving of your time, skills and resources transforms lives for those who struggle.

“It was challenging for me to learn basic reading,” says Sharmila. “The Salvation Army’s reading program has helped me learn new reading and writing skills in a more relaxed environment. I feel better about myself now.”

“The Salvation Army is grateful to all who support our mission to restore hope and dignity to marginalized and overlooked people,” says Major Marshall. “We believe that all vulnerable people should have a chance to make their lives a little better.”

Photo: Target team members help with activities at Salvation Army after-school reading program.