One busy Warehouse, Get your stained glass

This time of year, the food donations to Winnipeg Harvest are huge. It means more volunteer hours, more pick-ups to ensure more people are getting the food donations many so desperately need at this time of year. Food & Warehouse Coordinator Chris Hoover says pick-ups this month are up about 50% from last month, but says that is the norm for December. 

If you wish to donate food, time or money, visit www.winnipegharvest.org

For $20, you can create your own piece of art at Prairie Stained Glass on Sargent Avenue. All finished glass products go to Winnipeg Harvest as gifts for volunteers. CBC T-V in Manitoba featured Prairie Stain Glass on their Saturday December 10^th newscast.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/12/10/mb-stained-glass-111210.html

The December e-newsletter is on-line!

The December 2011 edition of Winnipeg Harvest’s e-newsletter is on our website. http://winnipegharvest.org/2011/12/december-2011/

So much going on December and so many great people have dropped by the building today and over the last couple of weeks with donations of money, time and food.  We all know the Holiday spirit exists in Winnipeg within so many wonderful people, but to meet them, to talk to them and to hear their stories is part of what makes Winnipeg Harvest so special.

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to likes us Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/wpgharvest , follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/WinnipegHarvest or subscribe to WinnipegHarvestInc. on YouTube.

And don’t forget to donate money, time or food at one of many different events this month http://winnipegharvest.org/events/

Harvesting Hope

CBC Radio Manitoba has spent a lot of time at Winnipeg Harvest in recent days.

CBC has been conducting interviews with clients, volunteers and team members, while readying for “Harvesting Hope”, which will air on CBC on Friday December 9^th from 5:30 a.m. through 6 p.m.

CBC will broadcast the stories from the people whose spirit embodies what is Winnipeg Harvest.

While the mission of Winnipeg Harvest is to providing food to people who struggle to feed themselves and their families and to maximize public awareness of hunger, the stories CBC does with the interviewees helps articulate the challenges many face to look after themselves and their families on a day-to-day basis.

Don’t forget to tune in Friday December 9^th to CBC Radio Manitoba.

PEOPLE GOTTA EAT - A Holiday Food Drive to benefit Winnipeg Harvest

Energy 106 is getting their guest list ready today along with set up for the live broadcast starting this Thursday December 8^th right through Saturday December 10^th at Grant Park Shopping Centre for their “People Gotta Eat” campaign. Included among the VIP guests to be interviewed are Comedian Big Daddy Tazz and His Worship, Mayor Sam Katz.

Since November 21^st, Energy 106 has been collecting non-perishable food items, all of which will be donated to Winnipeg Harvest. The campaign will culminate with a three day live broadcast by Energy 106 at Grant Park Shopping Centre.

Tune into Winnipeg’s New Number Hit Music station to hear volunteers, staff and supporters of Winnipeg Harvest December 8^th through December 10^th.

Peak of the Market is matching all donations during the “People Gotta Eat” campaign, pound for pound.

For details visit, www.energy106.ca  or  www.winnipegharvest.org .

December 1st at Winnipeg Harvest

What a wonderful article by Winnipeg Free Press columnist Gordon Sinclair this morning about Sheryl Armstrong of St. Catherines, ON.  Shery'sl bid of $3,550 was the highest in Winnipeg Harvest’s EBay auction of Justin Bieber’s guitar.

More importantly, Gordon did his characteristically masterful job of telling the story of why Sheryl felt compelled to bid on the guitar and her connection to food banks.  If you have a few minutes, the article is well worth the read.

CJNU 107.9 FM, Nostalgia radio, is into its second day on location here at Winnipeg Harvest. And CJNU will be on location here through December 23^rd, playing all those great hits in the golden era of music, from the 40’s through the 60s.

CJNU hosts will also be interviewing volunteers, supporters and staff committed to Winnipeg Harvest’s mission. Thanks CJNU.

And we at Winnipeg Harvest were sorry to hear that Laurie Mustard has left the Winnipeg Sun. Laurie has always been a terrific supporter of the mission here at Winnipeg Harvest. We wish nothing but good things for Laurie and his family and applaud his legacy in the Winnipeg media over the last thirty plus years.

Kids Blue Box Gardens Program

Have you heard about the Winnipeg Harvest Kids Blue Box Gardens program? Winnipeg Harvest encourages youth to get involved in having their own urban garden by planting in a blue box. It allows youth to connect to where food comes from and how easy it is to grow on your own.

If you need more inspiration....





Everyday Health has a new TV series that profiles ordinary people who overcome extraordinary obstacles and who are helping others lead healthier, happier lives.

Episode 5 airs this Saturday, October 1st, on local ABC stations, and features Katie Stagliano, an inspirational 13-year-old girl who founded Katie’s Krops, a movement designed to gets kids to grow food and feed the less fortunate in their communities. Plus, there's surprise guest Ellie Krieger, New York Times bestselling author and registered dietitian. The show is inspiring and feel good for everyone who participates in the fight against hunger.
 
For more details on the show, recap episodes and other information, check out:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/tv

Tune into Breakfast Television on Citytv Winnipeg on Wednesday, October 26 as they kick off their Community Spotlight series.



This series will run the last Wednesday of each month for the year. The three hour live show will highlight the behind the scenes elements of Winnipeg Harvest including volunteer profiles, success stories, hunger and poverty awareness issues, website promotion, a live remote at Winnipeg Harvest and more.

Learn the daily operations of our humble space where people come together to help feed hungry Manitobans in our community.

Family Fun Free Event!

Citytv Kids Day Carnival at the Forks!

Saturday, August 13

Winnipeg Harvest and Staples are teaming up to raise donations of school supplies for the kids this fall from Aug 3-Sept 9.

Help the kids fill up their backpack this year and purchase some Tools for School at Citytv's Kids day at the Forks! The whole family can join us under the canopy on Saturday, Aug 13, from 11-3pm. With a variety of entertainment from Folklorama dance groups to art, crafts, face painting, and bouncy castles and the opportunity for an interview with Citytv at Kids Corner.

          

                                      You can't miss it!!

                  Help a child succeed in the classroom this year!

  For more information visit: Citytv.com

Grey Cup at Winnipeg Harvest!

Today, August 4, the CFL Grey Cup was at Winnipeg Harvest with Winnipeg Blue Bomber Buck Pierce. We were excited to invite Buck to Winnipeg Harvest with Purolator Tackle Hunger.

What's On This Week?

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 (Tomorrow!) at 6:30pm: Winnipeg Blue Bombers take on the Edmonton Eskimos at Canad Inns Stadium. Bring a Tin for the Bin and get your picture taken with the GREY CUP! Enter to win a signed Buck Pierce Winnipeg Blue Bomber Jersey!

Go Blue & Gold!

  

AUGUST 3-SEPTEMBER 9 is Tools for Schools. Drop off your donation of a school supply or monetary donation to any Staples location in Winnipeg.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 is Kraft Hug Day! Spread the Feeling at the Forks from 11am to 4pm or online at http://www.spreadthefeeling.ca/

 For every bear hug given, Kraft will donate one jar of Peanut Butter to Winnipeg Harvest. Peanut Butter is one of our Top Ten Most Wanted Food Items: http://www.winnipegharvest.org/help/food/wanted

Thanks Kraft!

Thanks!

This past Monday, July 25, Winnipeg Harvest visited the

Carpathia Housing Co-op Children's Drop In program. The group talked about hunger in Manitoba and what Winnipeg Harvest does to feed families across our province. The group at the drop-in drew pictures and donated non-perishable food items.

THANK YOU for the generous gifts! Come visit us soon!

 

Don't know what to do this long weekend?

 Visit the Prairie Dog Central on SUNDAY, July 31 for the Great Train Robberies at 11:00 am. All proceeds go to Winnipeg Harvest.

Fringe! Families! Fun!

Yesterday was the Sodexo Foundation with Winnipeg Harvest and Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg Barbecue to celebrate the Feeding Our Future program! During July and August, Winnipeg Harvest and the Sodexo Foundation are working together to provide 150 healthy lunches PER DAY to five community programs throughout the city. Check out these pictures of yesterday's celebration barbecue!

What a great barbecue! THANK YOU to the Sodexo Foundation for their time and effort. 

WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK?

FAMILY NIGHT is happening again!

TONIGHT, July 21 is Family Night. Gather your family members and join us from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Spaces are limited to 25 people so call 982-3663 ext 434 NOW to sign up! Can't make it? Join us next time, Tuesday August 9 or Wednesday, August 24 for another fun-filled Family Night.

Have you seen any Winnipeg Fringe Festival Shows yet? Don't forget to Bring a Tin for the Bin at the Fringe! The bins are located at the Old Market Square info tent and inside the Manitoba Theatre Centre lobby.

CALL 982-3663 ext 434 for information on how you can get involved this week! 

What's Up This Week!

Check out these pictures from FAMILY NIGHT which took place Wednesday, July 9! Families joined together to volunteer in the Winnipeg Harvest warehouse.

  

 

The families and staff at Winnipeg Harvest had a great time working together to serve the community. THANK YOU to the families for their hard work!

JOIN US for our next Family Night, Thursday July 21 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Spaces are limited to 25 people so call 982-3587 now to sign up!

What else is happening this week?

 The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have opened their season undefeated! Cheer on the Bombers on Thursday, July 14 at 7 pm as they take on the Calgary Stampeders at Canad Inns Stadium. Bring a Tin for the Bin in support of Winnipeg Harvest! Go Blue & Gold!

Saturday, July 16 is the Annual Latter Day Saints City-Wide Food Drive in support of Winnipeg Harvest. Look for your door hangers which are being delivered in the city right now! Volunteers will pick up your donations from 9am to 3pm Saturday, July 16. Didn't get a door hanger? Feel free to drop off your non-perishable food items between 9am and 3pm at one of the following four locations:

700 London Street

505 Academy Road

 45 Dalhousie Drive

807 Setter Street

Also on Saturday July 16 is our weekly Blue Box Gardening Event! People of all ages are invited to sign up for this informative and fun event where participants learn how to turn a Blue Box recycling bin into a thriving garden.

 This event runs every Saturday from 10 am to noon.

Sign up today by calling Kurt at 982-3663 ext 434!

We'd also like to extend a giant THANK YOU to AIME'S MUSIC SERVICE for the music at our volunteer carnival which took place on Saturday, June 25 here at Winnipeg Harvest! The music didn't stop all day and was a welcome addition to our carnival!

THANKS for the great music!



 Join us Saturday, July 9 as we kick off this summer's Blue Box Gardening event series! Running every Saturday morning through July and August from 10am to noon, this event is open to people of all ages who want to learn how to turn your everyday Blue Box recycling bins into planters. All are welcome! All you have to do is call 982-3663 ext 434 and talk to Kurt to get signed up for this fun and informative event!

 Here is an example of what a Blue Box planter looks like. We have an assortment of plants in Blue Boxes on our new patio at Winnipeg Harvest!

 

Some young volunteers learning how to take care of a garden!

Get your hands dirty! Call today to register:
982-3663 ext 434 

Check out these other events coming up this week:

 Winnipeg Blue Bombers take on Toronto Argonauts
FRIDAY, JULY 8 at 6:30pm
CANAD INNS STADIUM
Bring a Tin for the Bin and cheer on the Bombers!

 Collector Car Appreciation Day
3:00pm to 11:00pm
Memorial Park/Legislative Grounds
Opening Ceremony at 6:00pm at the Winnipeg Legislative Building
Donations to Winnipeg Harvest accepted

Saturday at the Volunteer Carnival!

On Saturday, June 25, we held our annual Volunteer Appreciation Day at Winnipeg Harvest. We transformed our warehouse into an interactive carnival for our volunteers of all ages to enjoy. We were delighted to welcome 283 guests! There were games like bean bag toss, hockey shoot out and pond fishing among others and volunteers collected raffle tickets to try to win our fantastic raffle prizes! We also had face painting, slushies and a delicious lunch served in our new kitchen and lunchroom facilities. We had special guests from the RCMP (and their horses!) and from the Winnipeg Police Department. We enjoyed a wonderful performance from the Dare to Clog Dancers. (Check them out at http://www.daretoclog.com/). 

Check out these pictures of the big day:

Thank you to all our volunteers for your hard work, we wouldn't be able to operate without you!

To join us as a volunteer, call 982-FOOD today!

Bring a Tin for the Bin 2011

BRING A TIN FOR THE BIN!

Thursday, June 23 is the first Bomber home game of the 2011 football season. As always Winnipeg Harvest will be collecting non-perishable food items at the entry gates. Last year, thanks to your generosity, a total 12,656 lbs of food was donated! Thanks Bomber fans!

Our top ten most wanted items include: Canned fish (tuna and salmon); Canned fruit and vegetables; Canned stew, chilli, brown beans; Peanut butter; Baby food and formula; Whole grain/whole wheat pasta; Brown, converted or parboiled rice; Canned spaghetti sauce; High fibre, non-sugar coated Cereal; Canned Soup.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers take on Toronto Argonauts Thursday, June 23 at 7:00 pm.

GO BLUE & GOLD!