Members of the public contacted the Otago Daily Times on Monday to voice concerns the closure of the Balclutha Salvation Army community ministry in Clyde St might signal disruption to its foodbank service.
Yesterday the Salvation Army moved to allay those fears, saying despite the closure it would continue to deliver a limited range of social services to the district, and it would ensure a "seamless handover" of the foodbank.
Salvation Army southern division commander major Susan Goldsack said the change — on September 1 — had been precipitated by an "operational deficit".
"Community Ministries in Balclutha has been operating at a deficit for an extended period and the foodbank service can no longer be financially sustained ...
"[W]ith the movement of Salvation Army members away from the area and there no longer being a corps [congregation] in the town, we have been increasingly challenged to sustain our local operation."
The move would lead to one redundancy and the possible transition of eight volunteers to any new foodbank body, she said.
"We appreciate the cessation of the food welfare service in Balclutha represents a significant change for the local community. We have been working with the mayor of Clutha and other Balclutha-based social agencies to transfer our food welfare services to a local provider. Casework has been referred to other local social agencies since late 2021."
Existing food, equipment and foodbank initiatives would be transferred to the new provider.
The Salvation Army had been present in Balclutha since the 1890s and would continue its association, Ms Goldsack said.
"An alcohol and drug counsellor from [our] Bridge programme will continue to be available in Balclutha one day each week. The Balclutha Family Store will continue to operate as normal. Pastoral support will continue to be provided [via Mosgiel]."
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said he welcomed the smooth transition of the foodbank.
"This is a fresh beginning for our district at a challenging time, and an opportunity for our community to step up and launch this new service by donating food items."
The ODT understands the Clutha Budget Advisory Service and Anglican Family Care will run the new foodbank.
Neither was available for comment last night.
