More than a meal

WHO WE ARE | PROGRAMS

Mary Flinton remembers feeling afraid to leave the house during the pandemic, even to go food shopping. But she says that despite COVID–19, she was never afraid to go into her community to feed people who were homeless.

“That makes no sense when I think about it, but this ministry is about so much more than just giving away food,” says Flinton. She and her husband Bruce have been members at the Salvation Army’s church in Plainfield, N.J., for ten years. During that time, their canteen ministry has become a symbol of the Army’s presence in the central New Jersey town.

Salvation Army canteens are mobile feeding units used to serve food to people in need, as well as to local first responders. The canteen is stocked with snacks, fruit, water, coffee, and even hot meals that include steak and potato soup.

“The corps hosts their soup kitchen Monday through Thursday. We didn’t want the people who come to us for food to go three days without being served,” says Bruce. “So, we take the canteen out on the weekend to serve them where they are.” That includes in front of the local library, under bridges, or anywhere else where homeless people in Plainfield congregate. They are familiar with the Flintons and are always happy to chat with them as they eat.

“Some folks may just take the food and go, but others want to talk, pray, and learn about the services that the Army can offer them besides this canteen,” says Mary. “So many of the people living in the streets are smart, kind, and much godlier than we imagine. They rely on God for everything in their lives.

“I used to be nervous about going up to people I didn’t know. But now, when I’m walking down the street, the people who we feed will stop to say hello,” says Mary. “They recognize Bruce and me, even when we're not in soldier uniform."

The Flintons have also taken the canteen on different assignments, such as to feed the young performers at the Salvation Army’s Star Search talent showcase in New Jersey. During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, while all of Plainfield had lost power, corps leaders sent the canteen to local buildings that did not have enough generators to power food services for senior residents.

“We served hundreds of people, even though we had to drive to get our own generators first to avoid losing any of the food we had,” says Bruce.

When the soup kitchen closed during COVID–19, the canteen helped keep residents fed; it was the easiest way to do so while maintaining social distance. Mary and Bruce delivered food directly to people’s porches and served them from the canteen the traditional way, while taking necessary precautions.

“Even with lines and dividers, it took a long time for the homeless to realize that they couldn’t be in bunches and wait close to each other during a pandemic,” says Bruce.

One of their most memorable moments in the community happened after a local fire. The canteen was called to feed the first responders on the scene, but canteen workers soon saw that the firefighters there needed a different type of support.

“The funeral of the department’s fire captain was taking place at that moment,” said Mary. “He had passed away a few days earlier. The fire fighters were all supposed to be mourning their fallen leader, but they had been called to serve. After they finished, we prayed with them and listened to them talk about the beloved captain they had lost.”

That day, one ministry led to another, and a typical canteen meal also became an opportunity to nourish hurting souls.

by HUGO BRAVO

Bible verses to guide you as you feed the community:

Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. —Hebrews 13:16

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. —Romans 12:13

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. —Proverbs 11:25

Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same. —Luke 3:11

What good is it if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. —James 2:14–17