Keeping Summer Hunger Away

Major Donette Percy with a luncheon guest
by The Salvation Army in Canada
Categories: Divisional News
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By: June Li

The summer months should be a carefree time for children and families to relax and have fun. Unfortunately, hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation, leaving many wondering when their next meal will be.

The Salvation Army’s Whitby Community Church is taking a stance against summer hunger through their community luncheons. Carolyn Kitney, Program Coordinator explained that many individuals who visit their luncheon are from low-income households – many whom are single mothers. With school out for the summer, many of those families are feeling an added financial burden.

In Toronto alone, over 136,000 breakfasts and lunches are served to students each day. Sadly, countless children across Ontario rely on school meals and for many, they are the only consistent food they get. Unfortunately, when classes end, so do school feeding programs, forcing families in need to turn to food banks and feeding programs for assistance.

A volunteer prepares meals for the community luncheon

“We saw there was an increase in need and knew we needed to do something,” says Kitney, “This is when we decided to extend our community luncheon throughout the summer months.”

Once a week, The Salvation Army in Whitby hosts a free luncheon for community members in their gymnasium. Thanks to the local Foodland, those with a sweet tooth can satisfy their cravings every Tuesday as the Church hosts a ‘Bread and Sweet Day’ providing free delicious treats.

Extending these services throughout the summer holidays fills the gap when school is not in session and by providing balanced meals during the summer months, The Salvation Army in Whitby is helping meet the needs of low-income children and families.

Every week, the church serves anywhere between 20-30 meals through their community luncheon. “We started this program in 2010, and to date up to the end of June 2018, we have served 5,930 hot meals,” says Kitney.

If you would like to support your local Salvation Army and their community meal programs, please click here.