By Rita Giesbrecht
Calling all gardeners – this is an invitation to share the bounty of your harvest by planting an extra row for those among us who are in need.
The South Cariboo Food Security Committee (SCFSC) is witness to an increased need for this food, especially for families.
If you can help, there are several different ways.
First, know where you can bring extra produce. We can provide nourishing meals for those placed in vulnerable circumstances not of their making.
• From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre (CFEC) will accept your offerings and pass them on as appropriate. This can be fresh produce, but also the Agri-Culture Enterprise Centre has a freezer for storing offerings either directly, or left at CFEC. This means you can freeze extra produce and pass it along.
• On Wednesdays, Loaves & Fishes Outreach at the Bethel Chapel will accept produce and distribute it the same day.
• The Soupe De Tour program will also receive this food through these channels, or accept it directly. Contact the Canadian Mental Health Association for more information.
If you know of food that can be harvested by volunteers, contact us and we will send out a team of volunteer gleaners to pick and store it. We have workers, and access to a root cellar for the community, as well as the freezer, and can store vegetables over the winter for distribution.
In our first gleaning project is 2013, we harvested, stored, and distributed more than 500 pounds of potatoes, beets, carrots, and cabbage. This was thanks to the generosity of Paul and Cindy Whitehead.
Here in the South Cariboo we have a tradition of self-reliance and support of each other.
The SCFSC is proud to support and uphold that tradition by bringing the community together, and making a difference in the lives of children and families who are hungry, and shouldn’t be.
For more information or to help and participate with this project or if you have vegetables you can provide, call Debbra at CFEC at 250-395-5155.
Rita Giesbrecht is the vice-chair of the SCFSC.