Through the Farm Credit Canada AgriSpirit Fund, which funds projects that will enhance lives or contribute to sustainability in rural communities, we have received a grant for $17,000 toward the sorting and packaging room at our Fresh Food Hub.
Thanks to a generous donation from the Canadian Bible Society, we were able to offer Bibles, devotionals and “Words of Comfort” booklets (written specifically to give hope during COVID) to everyone who came to our food bank for food.
Over the course of June and July we distributed 152 Bibles, 64 Youth Bibles, 184 Words of Comfort booklets, and 175 Inspire Justice devotionals. These materials were so appreciated by the people who received them, including “Sarah.”
Sarah, a single mom with four children who came to our food bank and received bags of food, a Bible and devotional, couldn’t say enough about how receiving the Bible from CBS impacted her and her children’s lives. She said she loved how the special highlighting in the Bible allows her to see God's love specifically to those who are suffering. She also loves the devotional. She said the way the devotionals are written encompasses God's character in such a beautiful way.
Sarah said, “It is hard to understand and to put into words the unconditional love of the Lord but this devotional has been an amazing tool to learn more about God.” Her four kids also received the Bible and the devotional books. They too love reading and learning from the books.
Sarah also said, “The way they explain God’s word is simplified so that you can remember it and share it with others. It truly speaks to the heart. The explanation is very strong and the words are very refreshing. The examples they give are very strong. I am able to understand it right away.”
Thank you Canadian Bible Society for equipping us to reach out to people like Sarah with words of hope and comfort from God’s Word during this challenging time. We are very grateful for your partnership.
"My grandma didn't want to ask for help. She was like, 'Getting help? Yikes!' But it blew my mind that it was available." Growing up one block over from the Mission Centre, on 6th Street, Sierra's family had struggles but she knew that help was very close by.
Today we launch our Fresh Food Hub capital campaign!
In the beautiful Niagara Region, we have over 1800 farms and agricultural operations. We also have thousands of people who go hungry each day. We want to close that gap, by connecting farmers, food manufacturers, grocers and other donors with people in need in our community through the creation of a regional food hub.
We are building the infrastructure to sort, package, store and distribute healthy, fresh food to food banks and meal programs in Welland and throughout the Niagara Region.
Learn more about how you can be a part of it here: Fresh Food Hub 2020
When we were only open in the mornings, we would often get requests from people who needed food but because of work schedules, school schedules, medical conditions or social anxiety, found it difficult to make it into the food bank during our limited hours.
Thanks to a grant provided by Niagara Prosperity Initiative through the Niagara Region, we have been able to expand our hours to the afternoon, reduce barriers and provide more people with access to healthy food. There have been many people who have taken advantage of the afternoon hours already.
If you are in need of food, struggling to make ends meet, please come to the Mission Centre between 9:00am and 4:00pm Tuesday to Thursday or Friday 9:00am to 12:00pm. 22 Fifth Street, Welland.
Welcome to Josh Walsh, our new Mission Centre Supervisor. Read more about why he says this ministry is "near to my heart."
We are grateful for the Canada Summer Jobs program which has allowed us to hire two summer students to grow fresh produce for our food programs and help take care of the large property at the Ministry Campus.
Canadian Bible Society has donated 400 Bibles, 200 devotionals and 200 booklets and a financial donation. It's a great partnership to assist us to share God's Word with people to come to us, to show love in both word and deed.
Long time project getting started! Field Well Digging has started digging a well at the Ministry Campus. This will go a long way toward improving facilities and future plans to help us serve our community in greater ways. Praise the Lord!
We are grateful to Community Food Centres Canada and all of the donors to the Good Food Access Fund for their generous support. Because of you, we are able to make sure that hundreds of children, seniors and adults in Welland do not go hungry through this crisis. Their donation of $10,000 for emergency food and PPE for our staff and volunteers will continue to feed our community while we continue to feel the effects of the crisis and is keeping our staff, clients and volunteers safe.
