The Salvation Army is led by two dedicated volunteers, but has come to know two women who step up every week to donate their time and energy into keeping Drumheller’s sole foodbank alive, packing boxes to be sent out to the growing number of families in need.
“Loretta and Roberta are always there when we need them. They’ve probably put in the most hours, on average per week throughout the entire year” said Salvation Army Lieutenant Rachel Sheils.
“For me, it’s helped me stay straight,” Roberta, 41, says about the Army’s role in her victory over her addictions. “It’s more than officers, they’re like a family here and are accepted that way by a lot of us in the church. It doesn’t matter what problems a person has or where they come from, the Salvation Army never turns anyone away.”
Roberta and her mom Loretta can be found stocking boxes and shelves twice a week at the Salvation Army in Drumheller’s downtown. Roberta cannot work because of a disability, and has decided to use her time constructively.
“It’s been very much rewarding, it’s just an awesome place to be.”
Loretta retired four years ago, and felt she should give back to the organization who gives 100 per cent back to the community.
“With other organizations, you don’t always see where the money goes. Here, you can see exactly where it goes back.”
Loretta lost her husband last year, and said the outreach she received from the church was more support than she could have asked for.
“The congregation and volunteering has really helped me get through it,” she said.
Christine Wheeler has been volunteering at the foodbank for the last month, but already feels the same as Loretta and Roberta.
“There’s no question in your mind where it goes to. They really do reach out, and it’s not easy to always be giving,” Wheeler said about the church’s leaders Rachel and Matt Sheils. “The whole community is on a volunteer basis.”
Coming from Montreal two years ago, Wheeler says she hasn’t lived in a community with the same overwhelming support and volunteerism as Drumheller.
“Here, it’s just huge. You don’t see that anywhere else, and volunteers think nothing of coming out to support.”
The Salvation Army recently released their March statistics, and have said they are seeing a rise in families coming to them for support. It’s volunteers like these three along with many others which allow them to meet the demand.
They are currently running a food drive through Extra Foods, “Extra Helpings”, from April 8 until April 22. Throughout the aisles of the store, labels mark food the Salvation Army is in most need of, and financial donations can be made to the cashiers.