The Salvation Army's new community response vehicle makes its first stop in Sarnia Friday night. (April 30)
The vehicle will be stationed at Willies Inn Motel, on London Line, to deliver hot meals to those in need starting at 7 p.m.
Lieutenant Brad Webster expects to be there for about an hour.
"One of the gaps we've seen in the services in the community, is that there are those folks that are out there roughing it, and these are the folks that typically wouldn't come into a shelter or a food bank or any organization for that matter," said Webster.
He said over the last 100 years the Salvation Army has successfully reached people through its emergency disaster program by meeting the need where it is.
"We can get out and mobilize anywhere in the community. The vehicle is completely self sufficient and we can serve a hot meal, we can hand out hygiene products, we can make that connection with those folks, build that relationship, build that trust, and just take it from there."
Lt. Webster is planning to serve 80 residents Friday.
"Our truck has the ability to maintain the heat in order to safety handle that food. We can't cook in the truck, but the food will be prepared in our kitchen and then it will go out to the location."
He said they're planning to visit that location every Friday night, with other stops in the city in the future.
"If we're in a neighbourhood where there's seniors in buildings or there are shut-ins in buildings, it gives them the opportunity to come down to the truck as well and get that hot meal, to get out of their apartment and speak to whoever's on the truck."
He said all COVID-19 guidelines set by the province, including masks and social distancing, will be enforced at the stops.