Mobile Breakfast Feeding Program increased to 3 days a week

Thanks to a grant from PepsiCo. earlier this year, The Salvation Army is increasing the number of locations and days our canteen is out serving breakfast in our community.

DES MOINES, Iowa. (May 24, 2022) – Earlier this year, PepsiCo Foundation granted $10,000 to The Salvation Army to enhance their Mobile Breakfast Feeding Program.  We are excited to announce the addition of a third day of the week and additional stops. Previously, the canteen ran Tuesdays and Fridays to several locations in the metro, but now we will also be running on Wednesdays and to more areas in need with the canteen out from 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM.

“We are proud and excited to partner with The Salvation Army to help bring the expansion of the mobile breakfast program across the Des Moines metro area. The new increased schedule will allow the program to impact more lives and help bring food to those who need it most. This outstanding program ties back to our mission of creating more smiles with every sip and every bite for consumers and our communities,” said Craig Foerg, PepsiCo. Senior GM Market Director Iowa/Nebraska.

The canteen will travel to known areas where there is a sizable population of struggling families or homeless in need of a good meal. It is run by a Salvation Army staff person and volunteers from many different churches and businesses in our community. The casseroles, which are the main dish served, are made from volunteers in the community who bake, freeze and drop off the over 150 casseroles used each week!

“The canteen is not just about food. It’s also about hope.  Every person served is treated with respect, dignity and caring. Letting them know they are not forgotten.  Letting them know we are here to help, and they matter,” said Tamyra Harrison, Development Coordinator for The Salvation Army. “I think everyone should have the opportunity to serve on the canteen and see first-hand what the food, and caring, delivered through this program means to our fellow Iowans, struggling to survive, and how much it would affect them to be a part of it.”

If you would like to volunteer for this program, please reach out to Amy DeCastro at 515-282-3599 or email amy.decastro@usc.salvationarmy.org. Casseroles are always needed, and the recipe can be found here.  Volunteer hours for the canteen or making casseroles can count toward Silver Cord hours.