The Salvation Army staff at the Community Resource Centre stand outside the facility, downtown Medicine Hat, where hot meals are served to about 125 people everyday. From left are Capt. Lorenda Dale, Capt. David Dale and Val Ahdwen.-NEWS PHOTO
The Salvation Army says the restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are challenging for everyone, but are particularly difficult for the most vulnerable and those experiencing homelessness.
“People are losing hope,” said Capt. Lorenda Dale with the Salvation Army in an interview at the Community Resource Centre, currently located in the basement of Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church downtown.
Val Ahdwen, team lead at the Community Recourse Centre, says at least 125 people a day attend there. Hot meals are served Monday to Friday between 5 and 6 p.m. and they are also open for lunch in the mornings and provide coffee all day long.
“We want this to be a safe place for people,” said Ahdwen.
Lorenda and her husband David say it is about connections with people, letting them know people care, God cares and that their life has a purpose.
Earlier in the pandemic the hot meal had to be take-away only. With some restrictions lifted now they are able to allow two people at a time to sit at the big round tables in the centre while complying with all the required health guidelines and COVID-19 restrictions.
On-site staff and volunteers make every effort to establish a rapport with clients.
Lorenda says recently one of their clients was in a tough crisis situation and remembered one of the staff at the centre and made his way there for help.
Ahdwen says one client last Christmas was feeling discouraged and felt alienated from his family. She encouraged him to call and reconnect.
“He went home for Christmas. His family came to get him,” said Ahdwen.
Some clients have never experienced feelings of being valued and they have lost hope, said Lorenda.
There are plans to move the Community Resource Centre out of the current location by the summer. Lorenda says a new location has yet to be determined but the decision was made because they need additional space. They would like to have a commercial kitchen and private areas for counselling when clients need specific help. Currently if a client has a medical need and community paramedics arrive to provide this, it is often accomplished in areas where there is no privacy.
“The Salvation (Army) has been serving hot meals since the 1980s, we don’t plan on stopping,” said Lorenda.
The organization welcomes financial support, and is in need of volunteers, donations of clothing and personal care items, said Lorenda. If you would like to help call 403-548-3247.
“When people give it’s not just providing a meal but the range of services,” said David.
