Feeding the Hunger - Winnipeg Rocks for Harvest

A year ago, Frann Martins found herself and her family without a place to live due to a fire that forced them out of their home. During this time, she reflected on what life is like for those underprivileged in the community and wanted to do something that would make a positive difference in their lives.


As a mom and a fan of the Winnipeg rock music scene, Martins envisioned a rock music event to support Winnipeg Harvest and hoped that the event would not only raise much needed funds and food for Harvest, but would open young people’s eyes as to the needs of those who are less fortunate.

The event takes place on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at The Park Theatre, 698 Osborne St., and features locals bands Quinzy, Sons of York and The Paps. Tickets are $10 at Ticketmaster and at the door. Doors open at 8pm.

All proceeds from Winnipeg Rocks for Harvest go to Winnipeg Harvest.

For more information, please visit the Winnipeg Rocks for Harvest Facebook Event

Winnipeg Harvest would also like to thanks to HOT 103 FM, Frantic Films, Winnipeg Technical College, Kellett Copy Centres, and Manitoba Music for their support.

Students' orchard initiative bears fruit - Winnipeg Free Press

(David Northcott of Winnipeg Harvest meets with students Marlissa Vergara and Parbinder Gill at Sisler High School's apple orchard.)

Students' orchard initiative bears fruit - Winnipeg Free Press

We're thrilled to have the Winnipeg Free Press cover Sisler High School's donation of apples to Winnipeg Harvest. Thanks to everyone who came out to support the school.

Sisler High School Shares Their First Harvest

Students at Sisler High School involved in the “Students of Sisler Environmental Helpers” (S.O.S.E.H.) planted their first apple tree last year hoping it would bear fruit.

The Sisler students donated their first “harvest” of apples to Winnipeg Harvest this past Monday in celebration of the Share Your Thanks food drive, an important campaign that helps Winnipeg Harvest restock it's shelves in time for Thanksgiving.

(Three S.O.S.E.H. students with one of the apple trees in the Sisler courtyard orchard)

(David Northcott, Marlisa Vergara, and Parbinder Gill)

(David Northcott receiving the first harvest of apples from Sisler students)

Share Your Thanks

Starting this weekend, 122,000 brown grocery bags are being delivered to Winnipeg homes courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg Harvest is asking people to share their thanks and good fortunte with those in our community who are in need.

From now until Thanksgiving, simply fill the grocery bag with non-perishable food items and drop it off at your local Canada Safeway; or during your shop purchase a $5 or $10 pre-packaged food hamper.

Thanksgiving is the traditional time of harvest, a time to celebrate a good crop and our good fortune with family and friends. We usually load up our grocery carts with special purchases to make Thanksgiving dinner a memorable one. But the holiday can be bleak for many of our most vulnerable citizens. Winnipeg Harvest thanks you for Sharing Your Thanksgiving. Most grocery outlets are equipped with bins near the front of their store to accept your donation of groceries to Winnipeg Harvest year round.

ATTN: BOMBER FANS

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Winnipeg Harvest wants to thank and recognize the continued support of the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Football Club and all its fans for remembering to BRING A TIN FOR THE BIN to tomorrow's game against the Toronto Argonauts.

All fans are encouraged to support Winnipeg Harvest with a donation of a non-perishable food item. 

Suggested items include: Canned Fish (tuna and salmon) & Canned Poultry (chicken and turkey), Baby Food and Formula, Canned Vegetables & Canned Fruit, Canned Stew, Chilli, Brown Beans, Peanut Butter, Dry Pasta, Rice, Canned Pasta & Spaghetti Sauce, Cereal, and Canned Soup.

We wish the best of luck to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers tomorrow,

Go Blue & Gold!

Winnipeg Rocks for Winnipeg Harvest

More information coming soon!

We Need Volunteers!

Winnipeg Harvest relies on volunteers for almost everything we do, and we're always looking for new faces to join our team, and help those in need of food.

We've got a wide variety of volunteer positions available, so there's something to suit everyone.
http://www.winnipegharvest.org/help/time/opportunities

If you're interested in volunteering, please call Gary at: (204) 982-3587 or email him at: gary@winnipegharvest.org
Please note that individuals under the age of 16 require adult supervision.

We also welcome groups such as schools, faith communities, and businesses that are interested in volunterring. We're able to accomodate groups up to 25 people (including leaders).

Group inquiries can call: (204) 982-3586 or email: groups@winnipegharvest.org

If you have any other questions, don't hesistate to call or email one of the phone numbers/email addresses listed above.
Also, check out our Volunteer FAQs from our website: http://www.winnipegharvest.org/FAQs/document.2008-04-02.5191274467

We hope to see you soon!

Layout, Layout, Layout.

Here at Winnipeg Harvest, our minds are always going, so we hope you'll bear with us while we make some improvements to our blog!

We've already made a new header and changed the layout and colours, and we're going to be playing around with different colours and ideas over the next few weeks. Don't be afraid by the change, we're only trying to make this bigger and better!

Of course, your input is always appreciated. This blog is made for our Winnipeg Harvest fans and readers, and we want to know what you do and don't like.

Email us at: winnipegharvestblog@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog, and let us know what you think! And, as usual, we're always open to story ideas. We want to know what you want to know about Winnipeg Harvest.

Chef Michael Smith Update

We're pleased to announce that our day-long visit with Chef Michael Smith was a complete success! We had a great day entertaining him and showing the celebrity chef around our facilities... The night ended off with the "Evening with Chef Michael Smith" event which was a great success! The Sodexo Foundation raised $5000 through Chef Michael Smith's book signing.

Here are some pictures from the day:

(Chef Michael Smith takes the tour of the Winnipeg Harvest warehouse)

(Taking a tour of the Winnipeg Harvest kitchen)

(With Winnipeg Harvest staff and volunteers)

(Book Signing)

Thanks so much again to everyone who came out to see Chef Michael Smith and support Winnipeg Harvest. We couldn't have done it without you!

Chef Michael Smith Tonight!

Just a reminder that tickets for the "Evening with Chef Michael Smith" dinner at the Greenwood Inn & Suites are still available. It will be a great evening, and we'd love to have everyone come down and buy a copy of his book to help support Winnipeg Harvest.  

All books purchased at the event will have 100% of the proceeds donated to Winnipeg Harvest.

For ticket information, please call (204) 786-0687.

See you there!

Winnipeg Harvest's 10 Most Wanted...

The 10 Most Wanted Food Items

• Canned Fish (tuna and salmon) & Canned Poultry (chicken and turkey)
• Baby Food and Formula
• Canned Vegetables & Canned Fruit
• Canned Stew, Chilli, Brown Beans
• Peanut Butter
• Dry Pasta
• Rice
• Canned Pasta & Spaghetti Sauce
• Cereal
• Canned Soup

Food donations are gratefully accepted at our warehouse (1085 Winnipeg Ave near McPhillips St). We also operate 10 trucks that are picking up and delivering food throughout the province.

Please call us at 982-3676 to arrange for pickup of items which cannot be dropped off. You may also reach us via email: warehouse@winnipegharvest.org

Your donations are gratefully appreciated!

An "Evening with Chef Michael Smith"

In case you aren't able to tune in to CBC Radio or Breakfast Television Monday morning, there is one last chance to see Chef Michael Smith while he's still in town!

The Greenwood Inn & Suites and Sodexo are hosting an "Evening with Chef Michael Smith" Monday, September 21 at 6:00pm. The evening includes a four-course dinner with wine pairing, and the opportunity to meet Chef Michael Smith, and have him autograph a copy of his book.

All books purchased at the event will have 100% of the proceeds donated to Winnipeg Harvest.

Tickets for the evening are still available. For more information, please call (204) 786-0687.

Chef Michael Smith is Coming to Winnipeg!

Chef Michael Smith of the Food Network is coming to town on September 21, and Winnipeg Harvest is on his agenda!

You can catch the celebrity chef on CBC Radio with Terry MacLeod on Monday morning at 6:50am to talk about the "Evening with Chef Michael Smith,"  where the proceeds from his book signing will be donated to Winnipeg Harvest.

Chef Michael Smith and Winnipeg Harvest's Executive Coordinator, David Northcott, will be on Citytv during the 8-9am time slot of Breakfast Television.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the new Winnipeg Harvest Blog!

Between our volunteers, employees, fundraisers and events, and our day-to-day business, there's always so much going on here at our warehouse. We want this blog to give you a view of the behind the scenes action at Winnipeg Harvest.

We've got tons of stories and interesting information to share, so check back often and help us on our journey of "Fighing Hunger... Feeding Hope."