Over the last 100 years, this newspaper has been filled with stories about Chilliwack's generous spirit, and the ongoing work of the Chilliwack Salvation Army.
The archives, available online through theprogress.com, illustrate everything from the early efforts to open the church here, to the church's ability to highlight various needs and opportunities.
And this year has been no different. Chilliwack's willingness to support the Salvation Army has been on full display throughout the year. Some of that community effort has been in raising funds and food, and other projects set out to smash down pre-conceived notions of those who use services like food banks.
A group of G.W. Graham film students worked hand-in-hand with the charitable organization to create a documentary that intended to break down barriers and smash misconceptions. The students learned through their careful research and countless hours of interviews that anyone, at any time, could need a helping hand.
When the 30-minute documentary, Hope Through Struggle - The Story of the Pantry, was shown to the public in a special viewing in District's 1881 Grand Hall this July, it was received with applause, tears and a sense of hope for the future.
It shed light on the impact and challenges facing the Chilliwack Salvation Army Food Bank's "Pantry", one of the largest and most unique food programs in Chilliwack. It dove into the topic of food insecurity, which is something that volunteers and staff at the food bank concern themselves with every day.
This year has also seen a giant puzzle sale to raise funds for the food bank, among several other efforts that all add up. And when Chilliwack People First, a self-advocacy group for people with disabilities, put out the call for food donations, they gathered more than 900 pounds of them.
They wanted to do it “to help the community, to help Salvation Army because… they do so much for people in need,” said member Tim Burgess at the time.
Still more people are involved in the Plant a Row For Us program, which puts fresh food directly in the hands of those who need it most.
By planting an extra row of fruit or vegetables in their gardens and donating the crop to The Pantry, these backyard and even commercial farmers are helping ensure that more bellies are full in Chilliwack.
The Pantry provides fresh fruits and veggies, dairy, deli, baked good, frozen meat and more to more than 3,000 low income households per month. But as the need keeps increasing, and they are consistently running out of food on a day-to day-basis.
This year, they have a goal of bringing in 100,000lbs of produce from the community.
To learn more about the current needs of the Salvation Army, and how you can help, visit them online at chilliwacksa.ca.
