The Salvation Army in Wingham is facing a strong backlash after rampant rumours of them turning down a homeless man asking for help, and the “firing” of dedicated volunteers that have spent decades helping build and operate the organization.
You may have seen the expensive ad campaign the Salvation Army does every year, where there is a homeless person sitting in the snow and someone comes out and gives them “a hand up” underneath a Salvation Army sign. Many are saying this is hypocrisy of the highest order.
Recently a man was living under a tarp in a Wingham park. A couple small struggling local businesses have stepped up to help from donating a tent, food dropped off semi-regularly, and a place for the tent. Apparently the only help he got from the Salvation Army was the advice to go back where he came from. Not the warmest Wingham welcome.
Many locals refer to the Salvation Army as the “Starvation” Army out of great respect for their past work helping feed and shelter people in the area. If you are hungry or cold, go to the Starvation Army and they will help, at least that’s the way it used to be and what their ad campaigns imply.
According to numerous sources, on 15Nov2021 approximately half a dozen volunteers refused to disclose personal health information, and were effectively fired. It should be noted that customers currently don’t have to disclose health info, but staff/volunteers do, the exact opposite of restaurants. Some had served for decades in the Army as front liners in restoring dignity to those less fortunate by helping feed and shelter them, just to have the Army not have their backs. Sadly we live in a world where we treat homeless cats better than homeless people.
The following horror story is from the Wingham Salvation Army FB reviews. They have since taken down their FB page, but permalinks to the reviews are still active.
Wingham Salvation Army: (519) 357-3757
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/winghamsalvationarmy/