The Salvation Army Chelsea Corps announced that World Central Kitchen will provide meals to support them as they continue to carry out The Salvation Army’s longstanding mission to provide food and meals to individuals and families in need.
Food insecurity continues to increase throughout the Greater Boston region, including the community of Chelsea. The Salvation Army has been facing a perfect storm as it contends with a massive spike in demand for services coupled with a precipitous decline in donations. The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division served over 150% more people and families during the 2020 holiday season. Since March, The Salvation Army has served more than 14.5 million meals to neighbors in need across the Commonwealth, serving every community and anyone who asks for help. The Salvation Army’s Chelsea Corps now serves more than 3,000 families through its food pantry each week, whereas prior to the pandemic they served 150 families a week.
World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a nonprofit that uses the power of food to heal communities and strengthen economies in times of crisis and beyond. WCK’s response to the COVID pandemic, and their Restaurants for the People program provide fresh, nourishing meals to communities in need while also supporting small restaurants and food businesses to stay open. Through partnerships with local restaurants and community organizations, meals are being prepared and scheduled for delivery. In Chelsea, WCK is working with PAGU and The Salvation Army Chelsea Corps for regularly scheduled meal preparation and delivery to neighbors in need.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought increased hardships to individuals and families throughout the state,” said Captain Isael Gonzalez from The Salvation Army’s Chelsea Corps. “We continue to see an increase in need for support and services, especially those in need of food assistance. With the support of the World Central Kitchen and PAGU, we can continue to ensure anyone who comes to us in need of a meal or food assistance will receive it and for that, we are incredibly grateful.”
Deliveries and distribution will take place on Thursday mornings at the Chelsea Corps office located at 258 Chestnut Street. Every day, The Salvation Army provides a wide array of life-changing social services and other programs throughout the year, including Emergency Assistance, After-School Programs, Emergency Disaster Services, Senior Services, and shelter, utility and holiday assistance.