Who We Are

The Salvation Army began in 1865, under General William Booth in London, England.  It opened its first Vancouver Divisional Headquarters in 1899.  The Salvation Army moved into Chilliwack in 1924 and offers a number of services to the citizens of this community.

Contact Information

The Salvation Army Care and Share Centre
45746 Yale Road
Ph: 604-792-0001
Fax: 604-792-5367

The Salvation Army Chilliwack Community Church
46420 Brooks Avenue
Ph: 604-792-0311
sa.chwk@shaw.ca
www.salvationarmyonline.com

Programs & Services

The Food Bank
 
The Food Bank offers emergency food to unemployed and underemployed people who are hungry because they do not have enough food for themselves or their families.  The Food Bank is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 3:45 pm.  Clients need to make an appointment to see a Intake Worker, and also are required to bring in the following information:  Photo Identification, a birth certificate, medical card, proof of source of income and a rent confirmation.  Clients are eligible to receive food three times per year (plus a Christmas Hamper, if needed).  If food is needed beyond the three-hamper limit and the client is on Social Assistance, they are required to contact their Case Worker for a referral back to the Food Bank.  If the client is not on assistance they are requested to bring in information demonstrating need. (known as a “show cause” service).  Each situation is looked at individually for a fair assessment of need.

The Soup Kitchen

The Soup Kitchen provides meals, for adults only.  Families with children are encouraged to use the Food Bank.  The Soup Kitchen offers one free meal a day, Monday to Friday from 12 noon to 1:00 pm.  Those in need of a meal for the Soup Kitchen can stop by the office to register, where they will receive either a month card or a one-day voucher.  The following information is required: medical card, birth certificate and photo identification.

The Emergency Shelter Program

The Emergency Shelter Program is funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), and operated by the Care & Share Centre.  It is available to persons by referral from community help agencies or directly through the Salvation Army.  The adult shelter hours are from 9:00 pm to 7:00 am seven days a week, March through to November and 7:00 pm to 7:00 am seven days a week, December through March.  The Emergency Youth Shelter, for children and teens from age twelve to eighteen, is open from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am every night.  MCFD is notified of any youth that stay in the shelter for follow-up assistance.

Volunteers

The Salvation Army is dependent on volunteers to help in the Food Bank, Soup Kitchen, Thrift Stores, as Intake Workers, Warehouse staff, and Office assistance.  Anyone interested in volunteering their time and service should contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 604-792-0001.

The Cheque Administration Program

The Cheque Administration Program, housed within The Care and Share Centre, is an off site program for Ministry of Human Resources clients.  Only Clients referred by the Ministry are eligible.

Clip and Stitch

This group meets once a week at the church to sew many different projects out of recyclable items from the warehouse.  These are then sent back to the centre and put into the stores for sale.

Planting Ground

Is a safe place for all persons to come and play board games, have refreshments and listen to Christian music.  It is run out of the Soup Kitchen at the centre on Sunday evenings from 6pm until 9pm.  Closed on the weekends of statutory holidays.

Emergency Response

At the request of the Fire Chief, a volunteer team goes out to fires/disasters and provides the firemen/workers with a meal.  Follow-up counseling is also available to both victims and emergency response personnel.

Summer Camps Program

Day Camps called “Fun in the Sun” are offered at the church for school aged children during the summer months, Monday to Friday.  Times may vary with the registration.

Holiday Camps last a full week for community children at Camp Sunrise near Gibsons on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.  Holiday Camps are available by application only.
 
Plant a Row for the Hungry

This program established by the Canadian Association of Food Banks invites local gardeners to grow an extra row of vegetables, or donate extra fruits and vegetables to their local food bank or soup kitchen. The program builds on the long-standing tradition of gardeners and farmers sharing their harvest with others.  Contact 604-792-0001 for more information.

Vouchers

Vouchers for clothing, household items and furniture are available to those who can demonstrate need (known as a “show cause” service).  In the case of an emergency, like a fire, clients can come to the front office to see an Intake Worker, who will evaluate their situation and provide vouchers according to need.   All vouchers are given out Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 11:30 am and 1:30pm to 4pm.  Vouchers are redeemable through the Chilliwack Thrift Store only.

Thrift Stores

Two Thrift Stores offer used clothing, household items and furniture at low prices.  Funds raised from Thrift Store sales are used to provide for the other programs at the Salvation Army.  Hours of operation are: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5pm, Saturday, 9:30am to 4:30pm.  The Chilliwack store is located at 45746 Yale Road (right beside Vegas Billiards), ph: 604-792-0001.  The Vedder store is at 45638 Lark Road, right off Vedder Road in Vedder Crossing, ph: 604-858-8081.

Daycare

Happy Hearts Daycare is a licensed facility for children ages 30 months to 5 years.  It is run out of the church five days a week Monday to Friday, 6:30am until 6:30 pm. Ph: 604-792-5285 to register your child or for more information.

Christmas Programs

Christmas Hampers are available once a year to anyone in need.  Applications for this service are available in November.  The always popular Adopt-a-Family program provides individuals and businesses with the opportunity to sponsor a client family’s Christmas Hamper, including gifts specific to the members in that family.

Christmas Kettles are available at numerous locations during the Christmas Season to accept cash and cheque donations that help fund the Christmas Hampers and other programs throughout the year.

“Blue Bag It” Recycling Program

Held on the last Saturday of each month at a booth in the Cottonwood Mall, recycling bags are available for people to fill with items of clothing, household item, toys, etc., for donation to the Salvation Army.  Once processed, they are sold in the stores or distributed as needed.  Unusable items are sent away for further recycling.

Family Services

The Salvation Army in Chilliwack is able to make referrals to a wide range of other Salvation Army programs for assistance, including addictions and rehabilitation, Family Tracing Service for missing persons, pro-bono legal assistance, psychological and spiritual counseling, child care assistance, children’s camps, and emergency travel.  We also refer to other community help agencies and services including Chilliwack Community Services, Career Tracks, and Ann Davis.

The Salvation Army Chilliwack Community Church

As a member of the family of churches in Chilliwack, we offer Sunday Morning Worship Services, Sunday School for children, Youth Group, Senior’s Activities, Ladies Fellowship, Small Nurture and Spiritual Development Groups, the Alpha Course for those new or curious about Christianity, the Marriage Course for couples of all ages, the Boundaries Course, a 12-Step Spiritual Journey personal wellness course, regular family social events, personal spiritual care and counsel, Christian Life and Service Seminar, and other opportunities to serve and grow in your faith journey.  Sunday Services occur at 9:30am and 11am.  E-mail sa.chwk@shaw.ca or phone 604-792-0311 for more information.