The Chilliwack community has once again stepped up in support of the Salvation Army.
The organization was in need of a replacement heavy duty truck for its food, clothing and emergency supply deliveries. The old truck had seen better days. It was no longer reliable and was not serving the Salvation Army to the needs it required.
"The old, one-ton truck was costing us a lot of money to keep on the road," said Ian Pratt, community ministries director for Chilliwack Salvation Army.
With the help of the Chilliwack Chiefs, Sardis Kiwanis Club, Chilliwack Elks Club, Chilliwack Rotary, Farm Credit Canada, Envision Credit Union, and Telus, Salvation Army now has a new truck.
And what a truck it is.
At a cost of nearly $100,000, the multipurpose truck can carry up to 4 tons, and has a refrigeration unit that complies with FoodSafe, and a tailgate that complies with WorkSafe.
It's helped create a more efficient operation by cutting down the number of trips needed and man hours required; has decreased the potential for injury; and is more fuel efficient than its predecessor.
In acquiring this truck, "we didn't have to use dollars from Salvation Army that we target for those in need," said Pratt.
The Salvation Army feeds over 30,000 people every year through the food bank, and distributes 7,000 hampers to the marginalized within the community. As well, 25,000 emergency food line visits are also made during the year.
"Without community support like this, Salvation Army couldn't do what we do in the community."