FRONTLINES
Kettle Campaign Raises $23.5 Million
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Colonel Edward Hill, chief secretary, and members of Calgary’s Glenmore Temple Band support the local kettle campaign
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at their stores. The Army is particularly thankful for the support of Costco, where kettles collected $1.3 million, and Walmart, where kettles brought in $3.5 million. “We are grateful to all our partner organizations, volunteers, employees and officers for their leadership and commitment to the territorial Christmas effort,” says Lt-Colonel John Murray, secretary for communications. “These funds will help us feed, clothe, shelter and empower marginalized and vulnerable people in 2020. It’s heartwarming to witness the compassionate giving of Canadians to assist struggling people in their local communities.”
Grande Prairie Launches Community Kitchen
he Salvation Army in Grande Prairie, Alta., has partnered with the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre to open a community kitchen in November. The partnership aims to enhance and expand existing feeding programs offered by the Army and the Indigenous Friendship Centre, providing nutritious, safe and culturally
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he Salvation Army’s Christmas kettle campaign raised $23.5 million this holiday season—well exceeding the Canada and Bermuda Territory’s $21.6-million goal and the amount raised through last year’s campaign. This total includes $360,642, which was raised by National Recycling Operations in thrift stores across Canada. These funds will be used by local ministry units to operate community and social service programs throughout the year. As part of running a successful campaign, The Salvation Army relies on many corporate partners across the country, who allow the Christmas kettles to be placed
appropriate food for individuals and families in need. The partnership also represents another step in the Army’s journey of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The launch of the community kitchen was made possible in part by the City of Grande Prairie, which provided a start-up grant worth $72,000. Along
with collaborating financially, staff from the Army and Friendship Centre will share meal preparation duties. The new community kitchen, which is housed at the Friendship Centre, operates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., providing three meals a day from Monday to Friday, with plans to expand to seven days a week in the future.
Kemptville Corps Holds Grand Reopening
alvationists in Kemptville, Ont., were rejoicing in November as the local Salvation Army corps held a praise party to celebrate its official reopening. The event featured a time of worship, a special presentation by the youth and children’s ministry, and enrolments, as well as refreshments following the service. Leadership of the event was provided by Calvin and Erin Wong, pastors, Kemptville Church, with support from Lt-Colonel Sandra Rice, divisional commander, Ontario Central-East Division. “Kemptville is a missional church where worship is the central act, celebrating the goodness of God with joy and thanksgiving,” says Erin Wong. “We practise genuine hospitality, and believe in cultivating the spiritual discipline of celebration, understanding that the way we behave toward one another is an integral indicator of our spiritual health.” The Salvation Army originally “opened fire” in Kemptville in 1888. In the years following, various Army ministries thrived and, in 1981, rummage sales evolved into the opening of the town’s first Salvation Army thrift store. As the church experienced ups and downs, there was a decline in membership and, in 2002, a restructuring took place that involved closing the corps. The Army’s presence in Kemptville remained strong through community and family services, as well as the thrift store, which operated in the former corps building. 6 March 2020 Salvationist
Today, the Army cares for local individuals and families through various ministries, including a food bank, cooking classes, income tax clinic, car repair ministry, emergency shelter, thrift store vouchers for emergency clothing and household items, and much more. “With women’s, men’s, family, youth and children’s ministries, there is something for everyone at Kemptville Church,” says Wong. “Exciting times are ahead as we look forward to relocating both the church and the thrift store to larger facilities to accommodate growth. Praise and glory to God for what he has done!”
A full house celebrates the reopening of Kemptville Church at a praise party in November
