It has been 40 years since the Salvation Army opened its doors in Williams Lake.
To mark the milestone, the Salvation Army is inviting the community to celebrate on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3.
Lieut. Corps Officer Jessica Hoeft said they will be serving lunch to the community on Friday, from noon to 12:45 p.m. in the dining hall. Williams Lake mayor and council have been invited to help serve the lunch.
An informal open house will be held Saturday at the church beginning at 10 a.m. to highlight some of the Salvation Army’s history.
The Salvation Army EDS food truck will be serving food from a barbecue and cold drinks.
On both Friday and Saturday, the Thrift Store will be offering 40 per cent off.
Delving into the Tribune’s archives we found an article about the opening day - Dec. 11, 1982.
Major Donald Kerr, the divisional commander of the B.C. North and Yukon Division of the Salvation Army, performed the official opening.
Mayor Tom Mason said the city council was thrilled when the Salvation Army said it wanted to come to Williams Lake.
Hoeft said December is far too busy for the staff and volunteers so they planned to celebrate the milestone with the community in June.
In 2022, through the community and family services programming, the Salvation Army served18,382 free meals totalling a value of $142,010, 2,135 hampers were given out totalling a value of $279,685, 4,196 visits to the share shelf, 6,830 visits to the Drop-In Centre and 247 people used the showers and gym services.
Between Jan and April 2023, 6,925 meals have been served for a value of $55,614.
Hoeft, her husband Nathanael Hoeft and their three children arrived in Williams Lake just before Stampede in 2022.
They are originally from Winnipeg.
READ MORE: New Williams Lake Salvation Army lieutenants settling in
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