Crisis Response
When a crisis hits the community, The Salvation Army responds quickly. One way that The Salvation Army assists is with the Community Response Vehicles. These kitchens-on-wheels are dispatched to the designated locations or reception centres with teams of trained Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) volunteers who immediately set up food and support services alongside other agencies.
Our Provincial Mandate
In major disasters, such as wildfires and floods, we get activated by the Province of British Columbia. The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services and other agencies have specific roles recognized by the province. Our assigned role is feeding and emotional support services. During past emergencies, we attended reception centres, providing food, Meet and Greet services and emotional and spiritual care. Our mobile kitchens were set up in areas to provide food and refreshments for displaced residents and emergency workers as well.
Our Local Mandate
We provide the same support in our local community in times of emergency. We could be called by the fire department, Emergency Support Services or for a Search and Rescue incident. When we get the call, we bring the mobile kitchen to the location and our volunteer team sets up whatever food services are needed. We feed the emergency responders and evacuees, making sure that they have hot or cold drinks and snacks, and, where needed, a hot meal. We can also provide basic needs such as food, clothing and hygiene kits.
