Salvation Army and Purolator Expand Food Hamper Program to Yellowknife

A new initiative aimed at providing essential support to families in need has recently reached Yellowknife, as the Salvation Army along with Purolator and Food Banks Canada join forces to launch a food hamper program in the city.

The program, spearheaded by Derek Pluchinski, program manager at Yellowknife’s Salvation Army, offers food hampers containing a variety of groceries and supplies for residents facing food insecurity. These hampers can be collected on Mondays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Pluchinski emphasized that families with ongoing requirements can avail of a small food hamper every two weeks in addition to the larger hampers they receive initially. Moreover, the initiative extends beyond just providing food by offering cooking recipes to empower individuals with easy and quick meal preparation ideas.

Without the crucial support from Food Banks Canada and Purolator, Pluchinski highlighted the financial strain the Salvation Army would face in purchasing the necessary food items from its existing budget.

Stefanson Fritsch, the regional transportation manager at Western Canada Purolator, expressed his firsthand experience witnessing individuals benefiting from the program during the initial delivery in Yellowknife. He mentioned the importance of such initiatives in supporting community members facing food insecurity.

Currently, the program is catering to approximately 60 families per week, with any additional donations received being utilized to enhance the content of the food hampers distributed. The collaborative efforts of the involved organizations are instrumental in providing vital assistance to those in need within the community.