William Ricks of Lewiston sits on a bench in Kennedy Park enjoying a meal of sausage and beans served by the Salvation Army mobile soup kitchen. Ricks, who is undergoing treatment for hepatitis, said he deeply appreciates the Salvation Army meals program.

“There are times when I have no strength to do much for myself,” he said. He was homeless for six years but now has an apartment through a veterans voucher program. “Times have been hard, but it’s much better now that I have a place to live and a dog to keep me company.”

Don Walsh is the head of the Salvation Army Emergency Canteen, situated on the Pine Street side of Kennedy Park. Three times a week it is a welcome sight for many who gather at lunchtime for a hot meal.

“We serve about 140 meals three times a week,” said Walsh, who added it wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers.

A member of the Salvation Army, Walsh said he knows what it’s like to be hungry and hurting through his own experience struggling with alcohol.

“The Salvation Army was there for me when I needed them, and now I can give back, hopefully tenfold,” said Walsh. The lines are getting longer as the cold weather approaches. For many, it is their only hot meal of the day, he added.

“We always have plenty of work to do, but I dream about a day when there will be no need, when our ultimate goal is to be out of business,” Walsh said.