The Salvation Army Emergency Hamper Program

This program is designed to feed the absolute homeless population, many of whom are ‘street youth’.   ‘This program provides healthy, shelf-stable, ready to eat food items for the Kelowna and West Kelowna Salvation Army sites.

The Salvation Army has a proven track record that goes back more than 135 years in Canada, and more than 150 years internationally. It is now one of the world’s largest providers of social services. The Salvation Army helps one person at a time, believing that each person is infinitely valuable and equally worthy. The Salvation Army is present in 400 communities across Canada and more than 130 countries around the world, offering services in 175 different languages.

When disaster strikes, the Army is often already there living in the community and it is able to provide immediate aid and relief in the most culturally relevant way. It also means the Army will still be there long after the immediate needs have been met.

The Gary Bennett Family Fund supports The Salvation Army because of the work that it does and because of how it does that work. In the first place, through a wide range of services, The Salvation Army assists those who need help the most. It provides hope and shows a positive way forward to those who have become marginalized in communities from coast to coast. Secondly, The Salvation Army has been nationally recognized and independently accredited as having the highest level of excellence in ethical fundraising, in financial accountability, and in its management practices. We trust them with the funds that we provide.

Donation to the Salvation Army Feeds Community 

A Salvation Army News Release:
December 23, 2020 – Central Okanagan, BC – Now more than ever, people are facing new financial challenges and frightening realities.  Both the Kelowna Salvation Army and the Westside Salvation Army have witnessed an increase in need for their programs and services in this past year.

One of those programs is the Salvation Army’s ‘Emergency Food Hamper Program’ – a program specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of those living on the street.

The Gary Bennett Family Fund and its supporters donated $3,000 towards the Salvation Army’s food programs, with $1,500 being donated to the Westside Salvation Army and $1,500 being donated to the Kelowna Salvation Army.

Taking advantage of best pricing, funds were spent at the Westbank Real Canadian Superstore to purchase much needed shelf stable, healthy, and ready to eat food items such as; boost, 100% fruit snacks, ready to eat soups, tuna, and protein bars.

Superstore Assistant Manager Tony Gorjanc added an additional $100 worth of product to support these important community programs.

The Gary Bennett Family Fund supports Kelowna’s youth through its school breakfast programs, its scholarships, and its aid to the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank. “We are proud to support the work of the Westside and Kelowna Salvation Army because of the work that it does and because of how it does that work.”  says Gary Bennett.