There will be a bountiful harvest of giving once again this coming Tuesday as the farm equipment is fired up for the Taber and District Foodgrains Project.
Times have been tough as far as yields go these past two seasons, as Mother Nature has greeted farmers with plenty of flooding from high levels of moisture. Nevertheless, this year’s return looks to be higher than last year’s offering for the project.
“The yields are going to be OK this year. The last couple of years haven’t been the greatest, but this year is going to be a bit better,” said Bruce Warkentin, a director with the foodgrains project.
The barley harvest will be taking place on a plot of land on the first field east of Purple Springs, where there will be signage on the south side of the road.
“There are numerous people who contribute to the project, helping out with input costs and harvest and planting and all that. It takes a lot of people volunteering their time to keep it going,” said Warkentin. “You usually expect about 150 people out there for lunch, so everyone is welcome.”
To help power the volunteers for the long day of labour, the Knights of Columbus will once again provide lunch for the harvest on Aug. 23, weather permitting.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a partnership of Canadian churches and church-based agencies working to end hunger in developing countries by increasing and deepening the involvement of Canadians in efforts to end hunger.
“Take for example, the recent drought in Africa. It is not just an aid project for the sake of aid. It targets specific events to help feed people who have been targeted by drought, or political strife,” said Warkentin.
On behalf of its 15 member agencies, the Foodgrains Bank collects grain and cash donations, provides funds and expert advice for projects submitted by member agencies and their partners, manages the procurement and supply of food commodities, and engages in public policy and education activities related to hunger and food security.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a federally incorporated, non-profit corporation registered as a charitable agency.
“The food grains bank is more than just Taber. As a western-Canada-based part of the organization we target specific projects in specific countries,” said Warkentin. “Our area has been fantastic. We’ve raised in the millions of dollars over the years when you include government matching money and we’ve been doing this for over 10 years. One thing I appreciate about Taber and district farmers is they are very generous when it comes to organizations like this who help out others who are less fortunate.”
The federal government matches any donation the Taber and District Foodgrains Project receives by a 4:1 ratio. Given the hard economic times of late these past years, it is charity that stretches the dollar value to the max.
“That is either through cash donations, or the sale of the crop. We are blessed in our area where people are very outward looking and see that there is a need out there. This is one way people can multiply their giving dollar fivefold,” said Warkentin. “It’s a good way to make your dollar go father in an economic downturn when you have fewer dollars to give.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the project can contact a board member. Those who would like to learn more about the initiative can log onto www.foodgrainsbank.ca