Candace Cameron Bure Is Doing the Most Good at The Salvation Army Bell Shelter
Candace Cameron Bure, The Salvation Army’s ambassador for the 2018 Red Kettle campaign, extended her service to spotlight the many ways The Salvation Army uses the generous donations from the holidays to help people break the cycle of poverty year-round. Recently, Candace visited the Bell Shelter culinary school and farm in Los Angeles to serve alongside the GrowGood culinary students at the Shelter.
In August 2017, The Salvation Army partnered with GrowGood to launch a program to provide culinary education, workplace training, and job placement to residents living at the Bell Shelter. The 12-week course with Chef Eric Tomassini gives students a complete seed-to-table view of food and cooking, which Candace experienced firsthand.
“The great thing about the Bell Shelter is that they have an acre-and-a-half garden that produces organic fruits and vegetables, and all of that food is sourced and made here, serving 6,000 meals a week,” said Candace Cameron Bure. “I got to pick some vegetables in the garden. I got to see everything, and then we went in the kitchen and we cooked roasted vegetables," she added. “This is all farm-to-table food, so everyone is learning to eat healthy and they are acquiring job skills that are going through the program.”
All students undergo professional development and are equipped with life skills, food handler certifications, resumes, cover letters, and job search plans. Students enter the job market with unique experience, because the Bell Shelter believes in the lives of their residents and the promise of success when people are given the right opportunity.
After cooking in the kitchen with the culinary students, Candace served and shared a meal with the 500 single men and women the Bell Shelter houses and heard their inspiring stories.
“It’s been really eye-opening, because you see people who face everyday challenges, and it’s hard for them to get out of their circumstances,” she mentioned. “So many people today are faced with multiple daily challenges that make it hard for them to make ends meet. They’re deciding between things like paying electric bills to keep the power on or medical bills to keep their children healthy. That’s why I feel blessed to be in a position where I can shine a light on the many unique ways that The Salvation Army is helping give people hope and a second chance at living.”
The work that takes place at the Bell Shelter is a great example of the multifaceted assistance The Salvation Army provides to more than 23 million Americans. Programs like this help people win by giving them real skills that are needed to get and keep employment. To be able to provide for these needs, The Salvation Army relies on supporters like Candace Cameron Bure to give for the millions of struggling Americans each year.
“My mom and dad always [gave back]. They really instilled that into my heart, as well as my brother and sisters, and I've carried that with me as an adult,” she continued. “So that's why I'm here. I can't imagine, with so much that I do have and am blessed with, not giving back. That’s what I’m called to do … It’s so easy to do, and it makes a world of difference. I encourage people to get involved and learn more about how The Salvation Army is doing the most good in their own communities by visiting SalvationArmyUSA.org.”
To learn more about volunteering in your community, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood