I was dropping off some used clothes at the Salvation Army on St. Clair, when I noticed a man walking out extra stiffly. A security guard followed quickly behind. “Hey you! Stop! I’ll call the police!” he shouted. The man didn’t change his gait, kept on walking calmly, and said in gruff voice, “So, call the police.”
The stiff man wasn’t young. Nor was he agitated. He was, I would say, about 50 years old and was wearing a big winter jacket and jeans. I was surprised that someone his age would be involved in something that required a security guard. And since when has the Salvation Army needed security guards?
I thought about it after, and it wasn’t the first time I experienced something strange at this same location.
Last week when I was dropping off some donations at the big blue bins in front of the store, someone came up and asked me if I was going to claim my coupons. I said no and he asked me if it was ok if he claimed them.
I thought he was staff because he was calm, polite, articulate, and he was dressed casually. He was of medium weight and build. He wasn’t young either. I would put his age near 40. A regular person asking for some Salvation Army coupons.
I know the Salvation Army sells used things at a discounted price. I feel good about dropping off our stuff because I know it will help families. My family went there when I was a kid: they couldn’t afford to buy me new running shoes or hockey equipment. My wife’s family used it when they first came to Canada: they bought used clothes by the pound.
Days later I went back to the store to ask if stealing was a problem. I asked an employee if she has seen people walking off with things without paying. She had only been working there for half a year. And yes, she has seen it.
Times were tough back in the 70’s and 80’s too, but people stealing from Salvation Army in 2025 means we’ve seen a change. Not in morality, but in need. Two years ago, during the pandemic, the Salvation Army said they were seeing more and more families asking for assistance for the first time. They predicted things would get worse. And they have.
It’s the first time I remember seeing security guards at Salvation Army.
