Local food bank expands hours, launches new shopping system

People in need of access to healthy foods have more opportunities to get their pantries filled.

Salvation Army Vernon expanded its Food Bank hours to be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Monday, and open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. This will allow more flexibility for people who work to still be able to access the food bank.

The Salvation Army also introduced a new points-based shopping system, where people will be allocated a certain amount of points they can cash in during a 30-day period. This will replace the previous system where people needed to schedule appointments, and instead allow them to drop in as needed to use their points to access fresh food when they need it most.

“Food insecurity doesn’t follow a schedule, and neither should compassion,” Teresa Durning, Salvation Army Vernon’s Community Engagement Coordinator, said.