Salvation Army offering support across Ottawa

Salvation Army volunteers are providing hot meals to residents across Ottawa who are still without power and dealing with the severe impact of the devastating storm that swept through the city on Saturday, May 21. 

Glenn van Gulik, with the Salvation Army, told The Sam Laprade Show on Monday, May 23 that volunteers with the organization will be at four City of Ottawa respite centres on Victoria Day providing meals to people who have been impacted by the storm, many of them still without power. 

Salvation Army volunteers will be providing meals at the CARDELREC Recreation Complex Goulbourn in Stittsville (1500 Shea Road), the François Dupuis Recreation Centre in Orléans (2263 Portobello Boulevard), the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre (3320 Paul Anka Drive) and the Howard Darwin Centennial Arena (1765 Merivale Road). 

“We are on the ground right away, and we will get through this together,” said van Gulik. “Our mantra is that we are always ready to help support the community.”

While speaking to The Sam Laprade Show, van Gulik said it's more than just providing food to those in need. It's also about listening to people, and talking with them, and being that calming voice as they deal with the impact of the storm. 

“Food is an avenue to have a conversation with people and ask them how they are doing,” he added. 

He noted that he is amazed to see how many members of the community have rallied together and offered a lending hand to their neighbours, family, friends and complete strangers in a time of need. 

He said Salvation Army volunteers will be ready to serve, and help people across Ottawa, for as long as they are needed. 

“When a crisis hits, we are ready to serve,” said van Gulik.

Listen to the full interview with Glenn van Gulik below: