Spring is a season of renewal, and there’s lots of fresh news to share from Prairie Gleaners as we move into 2025. In this issue, we’re highlighting the first shipments of the year, providing an update on our solar panels, celebrating the arrival of a brand-new dehydrator, and inviting you to join us for our upcoming Open House.
Shipments in 2025
January 2025 – 50 bags given to Woodynook Christian Reformed Church, Lacombe County, AB to be taken to Cuba and Dominican on two different trips
February 2025 – 120 bags given to Lifeline Mission, Calgary, AB
March 2025 – 5,612 bags given to Shelters International headed to Ukraine
March 2025 – 3,360 bags given to Faith Missions headed to Ukraine
Our Annual General Meeting was held on March 15, 2025. A
copy of the 2024 audited financial reports and 2025 budget are available from the office.
Open house and BBQ
SATURDAY, May 3, 2025 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
We would love to have you join us at our open house. Come see the changes and what we have been up to. Hamburger lunch provided.
Update on the solar panels
In 2023 Prairie Gleaners received a donation of $100,000.00 designated to solar panels. Prior to this we had not even thought about solar panels, but these funds started us on this journey. In 2024, we heard presentations from two local companies, “gleaned” information and then secured Terralta to install the system. In fall of 2024 the panels were installed in the south-west corner of our property and in February 2025 they were connected to the grid. We enjoyed receiving our March 2025 electrical bill which reflected a significant difference on the amount owing.
Prairie Gleaners announces the arrival of a new dehydrator!
When we knew that we would be producing solar energy it was decided to purchase a manufactured electric dehydrator which holds 16 racks. We are excited to tell you that the Bench-foods Stainless Steel Dehydrator arrived on April 1st and we are just in the process of getting it vented out of the building and wired to electricity. It will be tested next week and before you know it we will have the capacity to dehydrate up to 42 racks of produce per day.
The new dehydrator, which we have named “Sparky” is positioned in the new building in line with our gas fired dehydrators. The goal at this time, is to still manufacture 2 more dehydrators in house using all the information we now know from the first prototype.
Once all four dehydrators are sitting operating within the new building, the plan is that “Smokey” (the old smoker that came with the building when we purchased the property) will be decommissioned.
A huge thank you to Community Foundation of South Eastern Alberta, who awarded us a $10,000.00 grant, which helped us make this purchase. There were also some donors that came alongside us and helped move this project forward. Thank you!!
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