Canadian Foodgrains Bank: August 20 Harvest and BBQ

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Sunny South News

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

The Coaldale-Lethbridge chapter of Canadian Foodgrains Bank is holding a harvest and BBQ event on August 20 (weather permitting). It starts at 11 a.m. and will take place at the corner of Highway 512 and TWP 9-2. Bring a lawn chair, relax, eat, and watch the harvest.

If travelling from Coaldale, take Highway 3 east and then turn south onto Highway 512 (Readymade Road). Proceed to Township 9-2. Donations for Canadian Foodgrains Banks are accepted on site or can be e-transferred to coaldalelethfoodgrains@gmail.com.

Now in its 18th crop year, the Coaldale-Lethbridge Foodgrains Growing Project has raised over $2.5 million through donations and crop sales.

A statement from the parent organization notes, “Canadian Foodgrains Bank is rooted in the belief that humankind is created in the image of God and that it is God’s desire that no person should go hungry. An estimated 757 million people face hunger worldwide and do not enjoy food security. Food security means people do not have regular access to enough nutritious food to live healthy or active lives.”

The statement continues with some examples of how Canadian Foodgrains Bank helps others, “Violent conflict, climate change, political upheaval, natural disasters, and economic disruptions cause humanitarian crises that lead to millions of people facing hunger every year. Food assistance can be delivered in many different ways. Food rations are often distributed directly to people who need it. Other times vouchers or cash are given to people in need so that they can get food from the local market.”

Currently, the organization is active in a variety of areas, including but not limited to Lebanon, Syria, South Sudan, Palestine, and Yemen.

“Our long-term development work focuses on supporting families’ efforts to provide food for themselves. This includes helping rebuild livelihoods after a crisis, promoting sustainable farming practices, and working with communities to strengthen their ability to respond to natural disasters and a changing climate. We also work with families to help improve their nutrition, paying extra attention to pregnant and nursing mothers and young children. We do this by supporting nutrition, hygiene, sanitation, and maternal health education programs.”

An example of a project in progress is taking place in Zimbabwe from June 2024 to May 2027. At present, a number of factors have led to crop failures and loss of livestock in the area. Canadian Foodgrains Bank aims to improve the livelihoods of over 700 families in the region through establishing lending groups and assisting with small livestock production, agriculture and horticultural practices.

Learn more about Canadian Foodgrains Bank online at https://foodgrainsbank.ca/, and plan to attend the local event on August 20.