The Salvation Army is known only to some as a thrift store but it is actually a church that happens to facilitate the needs of a community. Lieutenants Michael and Melissa Mailman have been in Weyburn nearly three years serving as pastors at the Salvation Army.
"We are a church first," said Lieutenant Melissa Mailman. "If you like to get your hands dirty, there are avenues of service here." The Mailmans have a big job running the various programs that fall under the auspices of their church, including what is referred to as the notorious Sally Ann's.
A community staple, where there is a Salvation Army church, there is a Thrift Store not far. Clothing, household items and furniture are available for a fraction of retail prices, yet the thrift stores are not just for the needy anymore. In fact, a growing number of families are choosing to purchase second-hand whenever possible.
"The more I can find at second-hand prices, the more time I can spend with my family," said one mother of two young children, stating that less spending equals more time. This sentiment is shared with a diverse cross-section of any community. Frugal artsy types and trend-setters aside, the practicality of second-hand shopping is relevant to people of all walks of life.
Originally intended as another means of income for the various other programs offered by the Salvation Army, Weyburn's thrift shop was deeply in debt upon the Mailmans' arrival in 2009. An approximate $60,000 debt has been reduced in less than three years to around $15,000.
This debt reduction has been accomplished in part by limiting staffing hours and clearly marking prices. The clothing sells more quickly due to extreme affordability as items are priced comparably to typical yard sales. All of this has been accomplished on a limited staffing budget as well.
"The girls have worked hard," said Mailman. Currently only three people are on staff, with only two on at one time.
Because there is no way of testing appliances, the thrift store does not take any at all, with the exception of small kitchen appliances such as toasters, electric kettles or mixers. A number of appliances have been left at the thrift store's receiving bay, as have items of garbage furniture.
The problem has gotten so bad that the store is on the verge of not allowing furniture donations at all, because so much is being dropped off after hours and once it has been left outside, it is unsalable due to hygiene issues such as exposure to moist weather or burrowing rodents.
"We'd like to keep providing furniture, but the problem we are having is that it takes our time and resources to take them to the dump," said Mike Mailman. Thrift stores are not garbage receptacles, they are charitable organizations.
Fundraising happens for the Salvation Army only once a year, which is the pre-Christmas Kettle campaign. Beginning November 25, volunteers will be ringing bells and collecting donations at various public locations. Businesses and families can also participate in an Adopt-a-Kettle program. Funds received from the Kettle campaign must last the Salvation Army an entire year.
The Salvation Army also runs an Emergency Food Bank, which is available to all members of the community experiencing financial difficulty and need food. Though first-time assistance requires no qualification, a screening process is in place for follow-up requests. If individuals or families require repeat assistance, the Salvation Army has a volunteer offering help with budget planning. The food bank is not just for families. It is for the elderly and singles as an empowering safety net.
"We are not about giving hand-outs. We are about giving a hand-up," said Melissa Mailman.
Recent food drive campaigns have filled the pews of the church and the food bank is currently undergoing an influx in preparation for the Christmas season, with construction underway at the parish to accommodate larger amounts of food. The 4th Avenue facility is in upheaval as well, with the basement currently undergoing renovations after this year's severe flood damage.
The food bank continues to receive expired items, which cannot be used. What they could use is a number of newer, more energy-efficient freezers, to contain freezable perishable items such as the bread that is gifted in kind to the food bank from the Welsh Kitchen & Bakery.
Christmas Hampers are also available to those individuals and families who need assistance in order to have a Christmas experience complete with turkey dinner and presents. The Christmas hamper program application dates are November 14 to 17 and November 21 to 24 from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 3:30 p.m., at the Salvation Army parish. The program is completely anonymous and runs on a first-come first-served basis. Applicants can even choose to receive their hampers via the Adopt-a-Family program. In recent years, every family who applied was sponsored.
The Adopt a Family program is available for those wishing to provide anonymous assistance to one family, including purchasing toys for any children who live with the applicants.
"If I ever heard someone had to go into debt just to have a nice Christmas for their family, I'd be upset," said Mailman. "We have resources here because of the community support."
Support comes from the entire community indeed. Canadian Pacific Railway's Holiday Train arrives on December 17 at 7:30 p.m. with a light show and concert on a train car. It is a free show to rally donations for the food bank. Last year 500 pounds of food was collected.
The Salvation Army will be holding a Community Christmas Supper on December 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the Captain's Hall.
"It's a community dinner, an opportunity to come, eat and be loved!" said Mailman.
It is sentiments like these that remind us that the Salvation Army is ultimately a church built on a foundation of service to others. Whether giving or receiving, the people of Weyburn should celebrate generosity and come together during this season of sharing.
