City Hall entrance area makes for the guide to community efforts in Salvation Army renovation fundraising

A fundraising thermometer put in place on Tuesday at the front of Prince Rupert City Hall will serve as our visual aid as the Salvation Army launches an ambitious funding quest towards planned renovations for the Grenville Court facility. 

The project would see the Food Bank currently located on Fraser Street, shift down the road to the Grenville Court site, bringing many of the Salvation Army's food related services under one roof.

The thermometer is a joint initiative for the City which provides the wall space, along with Northern Savings Credit Union which funded the thermometer.

As we outlined back in November, the City has also taken some financial steps of its own to help out the cause, providing the Salvation Army with a $15,000 Community Enhancement Grant this year, which will be put towards the 95,000 dollar fundraising goal.

At their November 9th session, Corinne Bomben, the City's Chief Financial Officer outlined the scope of the financial need for the Salvation Army and staff's recommendation to Council on some of the steps available to assist the local organization.

The city received an application this year from the Salvation Army with respect to a Capital renovation project, whereby their food bank service on Fraser Street would be integrated into their Grenville Court location. We've included part of their request in our recommendation but not the full amount given the size of the request and the uncertainty heading into 2021. 

However we believe we can help raise the difference between the recommendation and the request. Staff suggests placing a fundraising thermometer on City Hall to bring awareness to the project and provide our citizens the opportunity to contribute with us towards the fulfilment of the request.

The Northern Savings Credit Union has offered to fund the thermometer as a part of the fundraising effort, anyone wishing to donate can do so at City Hall so we can recognize the milestones the community reaches as we climb the fundraising thermometer together -- City of Prince Rupert CFO Corinne Bomben explaining the recommended approach towards the Salvation Army request  for funding

In a post to their Social Media Facebook Account, the City outlined how the community can join in on lending a financial hand. 

Donations towards the Food Bank Upgrade project can be made at the front desk of City Hall, with receipts provided to donors by the Salvation Army. Though the city notes that while drop ins at City Hall are accommodated, due to limited access to the customer service area, to ensure timely service it is recommended to book an appointment by calling (250) 627 0934.

In addition to the plans for renovations to their Grenville Court location, the Salvation Army is deep into its Christmas season work, with a Food Hamper program and the annual Kettle Campaign among some of their activities this month.

For more items of note from Prince Rupert City Hall see our archive page here.