As we wrap up another year at Prairie Gleaners, we’re grateful for the continued support and generosity of our community. In this Winter 2024 issue, we’re sharing a report from our Fall Harvest Dinner, an update on fourth-quarter shipments, exciting news about our new solar panels, and a look at how volunteering with us isn’t just meaningful—it’s a great way to make new friends, too, in our “We Glean Friends” feature.
Harvest Dinner Highlights
Again, the Harvest Dinner was a wonderful event. The food, cooked by Jeff the Chef, was delicious. The music and sing-a-long provided by the Rosets was wonderful and the silent auction created lots of fun for everyone. Thank you to Hillcrest Church for letting us use their church gym and to all of our Prairie Gleaners’ friends that attended.
Shipments: Suitecase and Sea Can
October 9 – Dominican Vision Inc. picked up 91 bags of our vegetable mix, which will be taken to Dominican Republic in the suitcases of their team members.
October 11 – Faith Missions took 3,360 bags (6 pallets) of our food and filled up a shipping container in Grassy Lake with the food and clothing headed to Ukraine.
December 5 – we took another 3,360 bags (6 pallets) to Grassy Lake for Faith Missions, who are shipping it to Ukraine.
December 6 —Global Emergency Missions picked up 11,200 bags (20 pallets) to go to Cuba with Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.
And either just before Christmas or first thing in the New Year, Hope Mission International (formerly Emmanuel Foundation) will be picking up 8 pallets.
Solar Panels Installed
As you will probably remember, two years ago, we received a very generous donation that was designated for solar panels. We are very excited that the solar panels were installed during the first part of November. Now we just need them to be wired to the electrical panel and of course for the sun to rise a bit higher in the sky.
Fun Fact!
November 2024 was a busy month at Prairie Gleaners. We had 21 working days, 13 groups along with regular volunteers and we averaged 35 volunteers per day.
Gleaning Friends
To make a friend one must first reach out to others. According to an article we found on Google …. “the best place to look for friendship is in your areas of interest. You have to get out and reach out to others who have common interests”.
And we think, actually no, we know that is what happens at Prairie Gleaners. We use the common interest we find with others and before you know it, the by-product is new friends. We have seen ladies invite other ladies out for coffee in the afternoon. We have overheard one gentleman share that during the week the “guys” are in the coffee shop, and anyone is welcome to join. Then there is the round of golf with some new friends or the couple going out for wings with their “new friends”. Rides homes and carpooling is being offered to new friends.
And whether we realize it or not the coffee break time during the regular working mornings at Prairie Gleaners are the highlight for all of us. Whether we are sharing the details about a trip we have just been on; or even better yet, sharing a photo of the grandchildren. And then of course, there is always the stories about the fish trip and the fish that got away—just how big was that fish anyways!!
The bible tells us “A sweet friendship refreshes the soul” Proverbs 27:9 and we believe that when you volunteer at Prairie Gleaners you will help accomplish a great task, but we are willing to guarantee that you will leave with new friendships.
To all of our Prairie Gleaners’ friends
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
From The Board at Prairie Gleaners
How to donate
Every donation to Prairie Gleaners allows us to continue on with the work of providing food to the hungry. If you are wanting to make a donation, you can use one of these methods:
- E-transfer to [email protected] Please remember to include your mailing address for tax receipt purposes.
- Cheque – mail to Box 656 Medicine Hat, AB T1A 7G6 or drop it off at the plant 11502 Range Road 63.
- Visit our Donate page to donate online through CanadaHelps.org