Before she retired, Nina Halpern had the same thought whenever she would happen to drive past the Salvation Army Gateway of Hope in 91原创 City.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a wonderful thing that it鈥檚 in our community, helping out people who we see on the streets, who we know need the help,鈥� Halpern recalled.

Then, in 2018, she retired from her job as an occupational therapist who worked with young children.

鈥淚 was looking for 鈥榳hat am I going to do during the next chapter of my life鈥� when I don鈥檛 have to go to work, and I definitely wanted to give back to the community,鈥� she recalled.

Gateway looked like it would be meaningful work to her.

鈥淪o I made an appointment with the volunteer coordinator [at Gateway] and she said the kitchen鈥檚 where we need the most help. So, I started helping out, and came to really enjoy it.鈥�

For most of the last five years, the 68-year-old grandmother of three has devoted two days a week, four hours each morning, to working in the kitchen at , helping prepare meals for people in need.

鈥淪ometimes it鈥檚 food prep 鈥� a lot of chopping,鈥� Halpern explained.

鈥淚 make a lot sandwiches. I do breakfast shifts early in the morning. We do two servings to different groups and then after that, we clean up and I make a bunch of lunch bags for people to take away.鈥�

Lately, due to a shortage of volunteers, she鈥檚 been coming in more often than usual.

鈥淭here鈥檚 never any question in your mind that by providing food you are helping people,鈥� she said.

鈥淵ou know, it鈥檚 not one of those [situations where] 鈥業鈥檓 going to give money to this, or that, and maybe it鈥檒l make a difference, maybe it won鈥檛.鈥� You know that people need that meal and that it makes a difference in their day.鈥�

She encourages people to take up volunteering, 鈥渂ecause it鈥檚 a wonderful thing to do, something that you know is helping others and feels meaningful, and the people you鈥檒l meet while you鈥檙e volunteering are some of the best people you鈥檒l ever meet. They鈥檙e all good people who want to help others.鈥�

She has made new friends while volunteering 鈥� including her husband, Mark Ardley, a winner of 91原创鈥檚 Volunteer of the Year Award, whom she met while both were helping out at the Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities in Aldergrove.

鈥淥ver a couple of years, we got to know and like each other, and one thing led to another, and we actually got married at that barn,鈥� she laughed.

Rachel Martin, volunteer coordinator at Gateway, said people like Halpern 鈥減lay an indispensable role.鈥�

鈥淭hese dedicated individuals selflessly contribute their time, skills, and energy for the service of others,鈥� Martin told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淚t is amazing to see what happens when people come together to help those who are in need. We are grateful for our volunteers, as we would not be able to do what we do without them, and we are always welcoming of more volunteers.鈥�

Anyone looking to volunteer with Gateway is asked to contact rachel.martin2@salvationarmy.ca or apply online at .

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