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The Salvation Army has renewed its partnership with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore to bring back its monthly mobile food pantry.

The Salvation Army of Suffolk has partnered with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore since January 2020. The program had to pause due to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown that lasted through most of the spring of 2020. The partnership has now restarted and will open for its return from 1:30 to 3 p.m. May 24.

“We were so excited when we called and the foodbank said they were ready to get started with the program again,” said Capt. Angel Simmons, the Corps Officer and pastor of the Suffolk Salvation Army.

Every fourth Monday, families can come to the gym at the Salvation Army Suffolk Community Center at 400 Bank St. to receive meat, fresh produce and shelf-stable foods. Those who come will be able to personally choose items to take home.

This mobile food pantry is in addition to the Salvation Army’s other food giveaways it does throughout the week every week. Every Tuesday and Thursday, the Salvation Army provides hot meals from local restaurants in a drive-through or walk-up format to help with the impact COVID-19 had on the community. The food pantry is also open on weekdays from 1 to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. At the food pantry, folks can receive nonperishable items for their cupboards.

It takes volunteers to make each of these services happen. For the mobile food pantry, folks are needed to keep tables stocked, help people shop, help with crowd control and help with sign-in and keeping statistics.

“We always have volunteer opportunities,” said Simmons. “Anyone interested can call our location for more information on the process.”

For more information, find The Salvation Army Suffolk Corps & Community Center on Facebook. Those interested in volunteering can call 757-539-5201.