Whitehorse Salvation Army shelter sees higher demand, fewer donations

The Salvation Army in Whitehorse says it'sserving 30 per cent more meals than last year.

Ian McKenzie says the new Centre of Hope in Whitehorse has been busy since opening on Oct. 6.

Staff at the facility have been preparing lunch for as many as 160 people some days.The dinner crowd is smaller, but some nights can see up to 90 people coming in for a meal.

McKenziebelieves the dining hall at the new Centre of Hopeis attracting more clients. Everyone is welcome, he says, but the increased demandrequires more groceries and more work.

"There's a nice big dining room with space to sit comfortably. You don't have to rush through your meal so we canmake room for other people," McKenzie said of the new space.

But the higher demand at the Salvation Army doesn't mean the pressure is off elsewhere.

• Salvation Army's new, improved homeless shelter opens in downtown Whitehorse

Kristina Craig, a community outreach workerwith the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition, says between 25 and 40 people stillshow up twice a week at "Sally and Sisters."

Thelunch program is held on Monday and Fridaysand servesfood from the Salvation Army kitchenat the Whitehorse Food Bank. It is designed for women and childrenwho said they wanted a more "safe and sober environment."

"It's possible the Salvation Army numbers are up becauseit's a new building and it's certainly more spacious," Craig said.

"The honest truth is that people are hungry. There are many people who are struggling. People will get food wherever it's available."

New bed space 'fairly full'

The Salvation ArmyCentre of Hope has25 emergency shelter beds and 20 transitional housing apartments.

Thatcompares to 14 beds in the oldshelter across the street, which had relied for years on bunk beds and floor mats for its clients.

McKenzie says despite the extra space, the new centreis already filling up.

"We're seeing fairly full usage of our emergency shelter beds," hesaid.

A new feature at the Whitehorse Centre of Hope are transitional apartments. They aredesigned to house people who will receivingcounsellingand training, with an eye towardhelping them find along-term living situation.

McKenzie says people are now applying to live in those units. The first applicants chosen could move in next month.

"So far, we've had a number of applications come in, and ...we have a placement committee that involves the Salvation Army, Yukon government and community partners. They're now reviewing those applications," he said.

Some applications have been made in person, while others have been made through social workers or other community agencies.

Christmas kettle campaign lagging

Despite increased demand for meals and shelter services,McKenzie says the Salvation Army's Christmas kettle campaign has been lagging this year.

So far, about $41,000 has been raised towardthe agency's $78,000 goal.

There are two weeks left in the seasonal campaign.

"Kettles tend to start slow and pick up towardthe middle of December, but we're not seeing that to pick up at this stage yet," McKenzie said.

He says one issue is the collection of donations. Fewer people have been volunteering to ring the bells.

"If the kettle's not there, of course the donation can't be made," he said.