Vice-president Eleanore Gerber welcomed 16 volunteers to the Clifford Community Meals on Wheels volunteer appreciation luncheon on April 12 at Knox United Church in Clifford.
Alieda Murray thanked Marion Agla for arranging the gift of pansies.
“Volunteer drivers are like pansies – smiling faces, hardy, and long lasting,” Murray said.
She thanked the directors and meal carriers and reminded everyone of Jim and Marlene Dennie’s long service from the Redwood Restaurant.
She said she appreciated Gramma Jo’s who will now prepare the meals and continue Meals on Wheels.
Eleanore Gerber introduced guest speaker David Scherpenzeel who gave an informative talk on Homegrown Food Basket, a project he operates with his partner.
Items available for the food baskets and ready to cook meals are comprised of locally grown processed products.
Scherpenzeel has three projects:
– filling food baskets with local farm products and items provided by businesses. Seventy per cent of the income goes to the farmers and businesses;
– helping young farmers get started with rental fees for land plots. Items are sold through Homegrown Food Basket; and
– an international project.
In the international project, investment from individual farmers allows for the purchase of 200 acre lots in Nicaragua, Haiti and Dominican Republic.
Half of the 200 acres is divided with community farmers to build homes, raise animals and grow what they need. The other half is used to grow cash crops such as coffee and cocoa. Farmers work for the organization with training and education supplied.
Homegrown Food Basket supports farmers around the world. It’s a social enterprise helping people and the environment.
Scherpenzeel answered questions at the end of his presentation.
Homegrown Food Basket can be reached by calling 226-622-4222 or by e-mailing homegrownfoodbasket@gmail.com.
More information can be found at www.homegrownfoodbasket.com
The volunteer appreciation event honoured the volunteer drivers past and present who delivered meals for years to clients three times a week at lunch time. Each driver chose a day and month with the schedule rotating every three months. There is always room for more volunteers, organizers note.
The annual yard and bake sale for is set for June 2 at the John Hobelman Memorial Rotary Pavilion Park. Donations are always welcome.
