Major Debbie Hindle says The Salvation Army is still there to help. Photo: David Butler
ITS Family Store on Morisset Street may be closed for renovations, but the Queanbeyan Salvos are still offering all their regular assistance programs to local families in need.
Major Debbie Hindle said staff had noticed a significant drop in people coming to them for assistance since the store closed in December last year.
She wanted to put the message out that the Salvos were still here to help.
“We’re just not seeing the numbers we normally see right across the board. I think people see the Family Store is closed and think that we’ve closed everything,” she said.
“The reality is we’re still running all our regular programs and we’re open for people to come and see us.”
The Salvation Army office is located immediately behind the old Family Store premises at 8-10 Morisset Street. The Salvos offer food vouchers and hampers, help with electricity and gas bills, rental assistance, accommodation and a range of winter warmth options, among other services.
‘‘Basically people come in with their needs, and if we can help them, we will,’’ Major Hindle said.
The Salvos are also still running the regular ‘Connection Cafe’ free lunch at the Presbyterian Church next door on Morisset Street every Thursday from 12.15pm.
Meanwhile, renovations at the Family Store are progressing, and a commercial kitchen will be added to the back of the building, enabling the charity group to put on more free meals for the community.
Major Hindle encouraged anyone who would like to make a donation towards funding the kitchen to contact her on 0412 024 801.
