Salvation Army takes Dignity Project to the streetsBy Angela BlackburnChaney.OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF"We feel that even the systemic barriers that people face such as Whether you call Oakville home, challenges with mental health and north or south of the QEW, you can addiction shouldn't mean they help out the local Salvation Armys can't have access to a nutritious, bal-Dignity Project food drive next week.anced meal. Everyone deserves funda-Volunteers from the Salvation mental human dignity, said Chaney.Army, which operates a local food Its hoped the drive will meet the bank, emergency services, toy depot needs of the 100 families (on average) at Christmas and the Lighthouse who access the Salvation Armys food shelter, will be out to collect food bank.donations.Residents can participate easily by Theyll pick up donations north of leaving their donation out for pick the QEW on Monday, May 30 and up.south of the QEW on Wednesday, If doing so, residents are asked to June 1.place non-perishable food items in a Aisha ChaneyWe typically only have one food plastic bag or reusable sack.drive per year in an attempt to stock They can tie the bag with a bright-our shelves for those who need to coloured ribbon or attach an ad the for all. For most, living without their access emergency food provisions. Salvation Army has been running in basic needs being met, having dignity The food bank shelves are currently the newspaper.is a remote concept.very low typical of this time of year, Bags to be picked up should be In March, the Salvation Army especially due to the fact that very few placed on a driveway by 9 a.m. and in launched the Dignity Project along donations came in this past Easter, a location that is visible for pick-up.with a report designed to engage said Aisha Chaney, community and The schedule for food pick-up is Canadians about the reality of poverty family services co-ordinator for the new this year, as the Salvation Army in Canadian society today and to Salvation Army Oakville.has always done the pick-ups on a debunk persistent myths about pov-Though the local Salvation Army Saturday and covered the entire com-erty and the poor and instead educate usually holds its food drive in the fall, munity in one day. and inform members of the public Chaney said the decision was made to The idea behind holding it over about the challenges facing societys change it this year.two days is for organizational purpos-most vulnerable people.We will now keep late May/early es, collecting from the north one day The Salvation Army also believes June as the time of year to have it and the south on the other and to that peoples lives change when they going forward. The period between make it more realistic for volunteers are treated with dignity.OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTOSeptember and December is generally heading into the community to drive Through this food drive, we are plentiful where non-perishable food the streets to gather the donations. attempting to convey the message TAKING STOCK:Aisha Chaney of the Salvation Army Oakville is pictureddonations are concerned, however The change also reduces the need that with community support, basic assessing the low food levels at the food bank in Oakville.late spring and the summer months for volunteers as trucks will be sent out human dignity is within reach for all," can cause fear for those trying to to drive the streets holding a larger said Chaney. Alternatively, for those not able to fruit and vegetables, hearty chili and access staple items that we simply volume of food than a car would. It is also important to address the make it out during the week due to stews, pasta sauce, cereal, rice, peanut don't have, she said.Still we need approximately 50 misconceptions surrounding poverty.work schedules, donations are being butter, canned fish and canned meat, It also coincides with the Salvation volunteers for each day and are cur-"In a recent study, 23 per cent of collected at The Salvation Army Thrift baby formula and diapers (sizes four Army's recently launched Dignity rently coming up short, said Canadians believed that people are Store at 356 Kerr St. on Saturdays to six).Project.Chaney.poor because they are lazy. The fact is, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.Food and monetary donations will Human dignity and basic food is a If any residents forget to leave their that in Oakville where housing costs Items requested for donation also be accepted Monday through fundamental right for all, states the bag out, donations will be accepted at are extremely high it is more so a case include: canned and powdered mil, Friday at 1225 Rebecca St.projects website.the Salvation Army Oakville office at of families struggling to keep a roof canned fruit juice, canned pasta, dry For more information, call 905-The Salvation Army believes that 1225 Rebecca St. It is open Monday to over their heads with little or no pasta, macaroni and cheese, canned 827-5324, ext. 22.human dignity is a fundamental right Friday from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. money left for groceries," said Sail a tall ship and see Portraits of Honour in BronteSail A Tall Ship out of Bronte Day Brunch Cruise will board at The Portraits of Honour Portraits of Honour, visit www.are enhancing the quality of life in Harbour in support of Portraits of 10:30 a.m. Tickets cost $65/per-National Tour will provide portraitsofhonour.catheir communities by promoting Honour being presented by the son.Canadians from coast to coast At 200 feet overall and 11,000 service, fellowship, positive values Kinette Club of Oakville.Book online at www.oakville-with an opportunity to honour square feet of sail, Canadas largest and national pride. There will be an evening dinner kin.org or at RBC at Speers and and celebrate our Canadian sol-sailing ship, the Empire Sandy, Every year Kinsmen, Kinette and cruise on Friday, June 17 with Fourth Line.diers, pay respect to those whove cruises Lake Ontario, offering pas-and Kin clubs contribute millions boarding at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost Kin Canada is busy elsewhere made the ultimate sacrifice and to sengers the experience of sailing of dollars to Canadian communi-$79/person.in Bronte Village, too.recognize the challenges that face aboard an authentic Tall Ship.ties with all monies raised in the On Saturday, June 18, there Portraits of Honouris a mural those who will return home with Sails are hoisted every cruise as community, staying in the com-will be an afternoon Luncheon & painted by Dave Sopha an lasting physical or emotional inju-the wind is harnessed to propel munity.Cruise with boarding at 12:30 p.m. accomplished artist and member ries.the 740-ton Empire Sandy along Last year, more than $15 mil-Tickets cost $65/person.of the Preston Kinsmen Club. It will appear this June 23 in the water.lion was raised; in addition to the On Saturday, June 18, an eve-Sopha was motivated to honour Bronte Village at the Royal Kin Canada is an all-Canadian countless hours spent planning ning dinner and cruise will board at Canadas fallen soldiers when the Canadian Legion, Branch 486 at service organization made up of and carrying out the many fund-6:30 p.m., tickets cost $89/person.death toll from Afghanistan the Oakville Kin gala.active community volunteers.raising and service projects held On Sunday, June 19, a Fathers reached 100. For more information about Working together, members Canada-wide.31 Friday, May 27, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.insideHALTON.com