News and Stories

After losing her husband a few years ago, Sue faced grief that affected her mental health and left her wanting to isolate. Things began to change last year when she was introduced to The Salvation Army’s community services in London, Ont.

For Nancy McSloy, a retiree, The Salvation Army’s London community services’ senior’s lunch is more than just a free meal. It is a time filled with laughter, connection and a sense of belonging.

Download the Let's Eat Recipe book today! Students at Sir John A Macdonald worked with us on a brand-new program called “Let’s Eat!”, a cooking and nutrition-based program that gives pre-teens (grade 6-8) an opportunity to learn how to cook nutritious foods in their school setting as well as supplying the school with foods for student breakfast programs. Let’s Eat taught participants how to use kitchen tools, plan a menu, read a recipe, work co-operatively, understand cultural and religious food requirements as well as supporting their fellow students with delicious breakfast offerings. Since October 2024, Macdonald Eagles have prepared over 2,225 breakfast items for their fellow students! Students who do not have breakfast at home or just need a little bit more to kick-start their day, have been able to enjoy these healthy offerings. Download the  Let’s Eat Recipe Book created in the Let’s Eat program this year! Way to go Eagles!

The Salvation Army has an ambitious goal with their kettle campaign in 2024: They want to raise $650,000.

Rebecca has faced many challenges in her 33 years, but thanks to The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope (POH) framework she is now rebuilding her life one small step at a time.

Ken is a shining example of how connection, community, and overcoming social isolation can transform lives.

“We get Christmas assistance. It is a blessing. It’s a joy to be able to have a meal with the family.”

The Salvation Army in London, Ont., runs a weekly sports program that helps participants to stay active, have fun and make new friends.

We love our fine feathered friends at SPM Financial! For many years, they’ve been so generous to us by donating frozen turkeys. This year, we’ve got some very exciting plans for their delicious delivery! Our Let’s Talk Turkey program is hugely popular and often has a waiting list to participate. Let’s Talk Turkey teaches participants how to use the whole turkey. From making velvety gravy and hearty soup to a rich and filling turkey pot pie, gravy and other delectable dinner items, each participant takes home food they assisted in preparing as well as a frozen turkey to try out their new recipes. While the focus is on food, the laughter and conversation quickly become a focal point in the kitchen and friendships are made along with the biscuits. Because of SPM Financials’ generous donation, we are able to facilitate even more classes in the coming months for people to share great food and extend their food budget with these new kitchen skills.  Pop Up Market – We distributed 50 turkeys along with fresh produce from Urban Roots Farm at our Pop Up Market and Community Fair on October 25th, giving folks a head start on their holiday feasts! We’re also sharing turkeys with our fellow Salvation Army Ministry Units and community partners! At The Centre of Hope shelter, which includes Withdrawal Management and the Recovery Centre, they’ll be using some of our donation for their Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the entire centre community (about 300+ people) as well as leftovers that they will use for lunch on other days. Westminster Park Community Church provided a cozy Thanksgiving community dinner for over 100 diners as well as  planning  lazy turkey pot pie for upcoming community dinners.  London Citadel volunteers provide healthy meals through Operation Mobilizing Hope (street outreach) and their team will prepare meals for 100+ people experiencing homelessness or in crisis in two different locations in London.  Our community sports partner, CMHA London Coffee House was a little shy on turkeys for their volunteer-driven community meal that feeds over 100 people. We were able to share with them as well.   These vital food-based programs are a reality thanks to SPM Financial, who make sharing with others a priority. Over a thousand meals provided with this one thoughtful donation. We are very thankful for SPM Financial’s continued support and generosity.  

A group of Western students who live on Broughdale Avenue are giving back to the London community and stepping up their efforts to fight hunger. 

Salvation Army volunteer Dave Rutherford is as reliable as they come. Known lovingly as ‘Super Dave,’ because he does anything asked of him, the volunteer with London Community and Family Services has been on the job since 2008.

You don’t have to be a globe trotter to take in some of the greatest wonders of the world—the 52-storey F&F Tower in Panama City, Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Rome’s Colosseum—and all conveniently located at White Oaks Mall in London, Ont.