A huge reason why the Swift Current Salvation Army is able to provide hundreds of hampers with nutritious food around Christmas is the generosity of Hutterite colonies around the area, and yesterday the Salvation Army held their Hutterite Appreciation Lunch.

Pattison Agriculture, Co-op Ag, MNP, and Scotiabank sponsored the event, which saw a ton of KFC brought to the Salvation Army for a number of Hutterite colonies to enjoy.

2018 hutterite appreciation 5 dec11

Shawn Critch

Shawn Critch, a divisional leader for the Salvation Army, said since there's been a Swift Current location, he's really come to realize the impact Hutterites make.

"I look around this room and this is our fifth year in this region and I have a greater sense of appreciation for your partnership," he said. "You come alongside and invest in the community through organizations like the Salvation Army."

Major Don Grad of the Swift Current Salvation Army said they never stop appreciating the generosity.

"I want to identify that it's not taken for granted, it is very much appreciated, and I know over the course of the year... 1000s of pounds of potatos and onions and carrots and cabbage and so many wonderful things that help to fill our hampers that we do on a regular basis throughout the year, and of course at Christmas time in this very special way."

Grad added that this year 273 hampers were made.

"One of the goals of the food bank is to provide nutrition, to provide the veggies and things like that for the hampers that we provide. And the meal or the fresh produce we get is so helpful to that end."

Critch said they have 1,000 people in the workforce for the Salvation Army in the Saskatchewan and Manitoba region, and he thanked all the volunteers for the big impact they make.

About 120 Hutterites made it out for the lunch.

Also on hand at the event were Swift Current Mayor Denis Perrault and MLA Everett Hindley.