Starting June 25, the Salvation Army TSA Hope is taking its community meal program on the road across Ajax, Pickering, and Uxbridge, trading sit-down lunches for direct neighbourhood delivery using its Hope On Wheels van. The mobile service will run through September 9, 2026, bringing food to residents where they are, instead of requiring them to visit the building at 35 Kings Crescent.
James Dark, community and family services coordinator, says the shift is about breaking down barriers. “We have this vehicle, the Hope On Wheels, to reach those populations to save them from coming to find us.” The program previously offered free in-building meals on Mondays and Wednesdays. Now, the van will stop at various locations throughout the three communities, making it easier for people without transportation or those who feel uncomfortable accessing services in person to get a meal.
The Hope On Wheels vehicle was launched in April 2021, built with roughly $100,000 raised largely through the Ajax Mayor’s Gala. It’s designed as more than a food truck. Collapsible shelves let it double as a mobile food bank, while benches and a fold-down table with computer access mean it can also serve as an intake office or command post. In its first week, the unit helped close to 80 people with meals, sleeping bags, winter clothing, and backpacks. The new summer schedule marks its first use as a full-time meal delivery service.
Durham Region is facing a sharp rise in food insecurity. According to Durham Region, visits to Feed the Need in Durham programs have jumped more than 250 percent since 2020. Between April 2024 and March 2025, the network of over 70 community food programs recorded nearly 900,000 visits—a 27.9 percent increase from the previous year.
TSA Hope is looking for local restaurants to help sponsor the mobile lunches. Businesses interested in supporting a meal can contact the organization at 905-427-7123. Residents who need a meal or want to learn where the van will be can also call that number for details.
