By Andrew Turner

GOD is at work in the Campbell River Salvation Army.

When the ministry’s well-known work of feeding the poor was disrupted recently, NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) could have reared its ugly head. But instead, Sally Anne’s neighbours rallied around.

The Army is searching for a new location for its soup kitchen, upon losing their downtown facility – after the building which housed it became listed on the commercial real estate market. The former kitchen, located in the downtown core of Campbell River, served up to 80 clients.

Now located in the Army’s Ocean Crest Community Church, the soup kitchen is again open – but this time in a residential neighbourhood several blocks from the downtown core.

According to Captain Mark Dunstan, the kitchen is operating with the blessing of gracious neighbours, who have shown amazing sympathy.

However, he stressed the location of the soup kitchen is only temporary, and that the selection of a new, permanent kitchen includes some new and major variables.

“Our main concern right now is our separation from downtown Campbell River,” he  told BCCN. 

“Location is crucial to our service, and the number of clients that use our soup kitchen is down. Our prayer right now is for a new downtown location to become available, and for the faith and insight to move forward – we can not do this on our own.”

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He and his Army colleagues, Dunstan said, are “looking above and beyond our present operations, in order to serve clients more effectively. Right now, we are looking at community needs, and the possibility of second stage housing, affordable housing that is clean and safe.”  

The homeless situation in Campbell River, the captain noted, “is bigger than most people think. We don’t know what the future will hold; but I think at the present, as we meet with clients, we find that there is a great need for second stage housing.

“It is very easy to assume a number of things. But the important part is that we sit down and share life with each other, and at that point we can begin to understand things. But most importantly, how can we bring hope today?”  

Prayer, Dunstan noted, is crucial. “We pray that all that we do will be founded in God’s grace.”

Referring to Matthew 22:36-40, he continued: “In light of that extravagant love, we will fulfill the second greatest commandment: to love other people. We pray that we will see everyone in our community – and the world at large – through the eyes of Jesus.”

Asked to be specific about what he hopes the Army can accomplish, he said: “I think there is always more we can be doing. The needs are changing. In order to understand the needs, we must sit down and analyze the situation with the clients and people themselves. The community is very supportive and this seems to be a great opportunity for new hope. Also, the support of the B.C. government is there to help meet the needs of people who find themselves homeless.

“Whatever people need, we strive to give them hope by meeting those needs as best we can. This is an opportunity. We look at this transition as a great opportunity.”

Contact: 250-287-3720.

March 2008