Cash is king if you're looking for way to help the Salvation Army food bank make ends meet as the coronavirus pandemic takes hold.
Rather than drop off donations, Salvation Army captain Neil Wilkinson is asking supporters to make cash donations online as the social agency faces a double-edged sword of a looming shortage of food while also bracing for a jump in the number of people who need its help.
Cash in hand, the Army can buy in bulk.
"And then, what we do is bring in pallets of food that have not been manhandled in the community and that reduces the risk of surface-to-surface contamination," Wilkinson said.
As it stands, the Army's food bank has three-to-four weeks of supplies "and then we will be empty."
Moreover, Wilkinson is predicting a rise in traffic at the food bank as people are laid off and forced to rely on Employment Insurance benefits.
"At the end of the day, if you're only getting 55 per cent of your income because you're on Employment Insurance, you're going to pay your heat and hydro and rent first and there may not be enough left over for food at the end of the month," he said.
Both the Army's church and thrift stores have been closed but the food bank at the Curt Garland Centre at 3500 18th Ave. remains open. Activity at the food bank is being "modified" to ensure social distancing is maintained and the area is properly santized.
Those interested in helping out are encouraged to make donations online by either clicking on the "donate now" button on the Salvation Army of Prince George website, www.sapg.ca, or by going directly to salvationarmy.ca/donations/. Donations can be eligible for a tax receipt.
