The Empty Bowls

Here is a sneak peak of the 55+ bowls that are up for auction at the Empty Bowls Gala at the Delta Hotel on November 10, 2009.

For more information about the Empty Bowls Gala, visit the Winnipeg Harvest Website.

Empty Bowls Ambassadors Luncheon

The media was invited to attend Wednesday's Empty Bowls Ambassadors Luncheon at the Winnipeg Harvest office. This luncheon was geared to provide an overview of the work that Winnipeg Harvest does, to provide more details about the Empty Bowls Gala being held on November 10th, and to invite them to be ambassadors on behalf of Winnipeg Harvest.

Barry McArton, co-chair of the Empty Bowls committee, presented information on Winnipeg Harvest and the Gala, while David Northcott and Lee Newton provided glimpses into the work Winnipeg Harvest does.

(Barry McArton, co-chair of the Empty Bowls committee)

(media guests)

(media guests)

Winnipeg Free Press Editorials

The following editorial was written by Winnipeg Harvest's Executive Coordinator, David Northcott, for the Winnipeg Free Press. It appeared in last Saturday's edition of the Winnipeg Free Press.

More than ever, Winnipeg Harvest needs your support. We want to give those we share food with a hand up. Never has the need been greater.

Between September of 2008 and September of 2009, the increase in the number of kids, ages 6-18, that Winnipeg Harvest shares food with is up, by nearly 24%, from 12,000 to 15,000. The total number of people Winnipeg Harvest shares food with jumped by 21% over that same period, to over 39,000.

There are three additional areas where we experienced similar increases that concern us; the number of EI recipients, the number of people with no income and the number of working poor who rely on Winnipeg Harvest to make ends meet all increased over the same one year period.

The decline in the economy has brought an increased demand for the service Winnipeg Harvest provides. As much as anyone, we are hopeful of a recovery in both the Canadian and Global economy. More living wage jobs and a strengthening of our social safety net are both assets for all Canadians.

The Empty Bowls program is an initiative designed to raise funds to address the need. On November 10, 2009, Winnipeg Harvest is hosting the Empty Bowls Celebrity Auction at the Delta Winnipeg. Our message of feeding the hungry continues. You can make an incredible difference by making a donation to the Empty Bowls event. Did you know that for every $20.00 donated, Harvest can move $400.00 worth of food? Will you help us make a difference? 

Make a donation today to the Empty Bowls event. Please call 982-FOOD or donate online at www.winnipegharvest.org

David Northcott is Executive Coordinator of Winnipeg Harvest.

 

Winnipeg Free Press Editorials

This editorial was written by Pat Isaak for Winnipeg Harvest, it appeared in last Friday's edition of the Winnipeg Free Press.

 

Each day, Manitoba teachers witness the effects of students coming to school hungry. We know there is a direct relationship between healthy nutrition and the academic achievement of our students. Adequate food improves a child’s ability to comprehend, grow and develop.  A child who is hungry has difficulty concentrating, is more easily distracted and what may seem to be a behavioral problem may be a reaction to not having breakfast before coming to school. Unfortunately, thousands of students will show up to school hungry this morning.  

Winnipeg Harvest has been helping Manitoba’s schools for years by providing food to children who would otherwise go hungry. There are 27 school programs in place, with 23 schools on a waiting list.

The Manitoba Teachers’ Society and teachers in communities in every corner of this province work with Winnipeg Harvest to help students get the nutrition they need to do well in school. For many the meal they get at school may be their only meal of the day.  
On the flip side, teachers organize projects in schools such as food donations and drives. They and their students volunteer at Harvest and contribute to programs like Operation Donation and the Empty Bowls Program. Last year, with the involvement, support and commitment of Manitoba’s students and teachers, Winnipeg Harvest collected 55 tons of food for hungry families.   

By participating in these important initiatives, teachers are showing their students that by working together we can all make a difference.  
There have been over 50 Empty Bowls School Programs throughout the province that have contributed nearly $60,000 to help low-income families in Manitoba.

Make a donation today to the Empty Bowls event. Please call 982-FOOD or donate online at www.winnipegharvest.org

Pat Isaak is the President of the Manitoba Teachers Society.

Bring a Tin for the Bin

Winnipeg Harvest collected 1,019 pounds of food at Saturday's Bomber game. Thanks again Winnipeg Harvest fans!

Jewish Post Article

The article that our Social Media Coordinator wrote for The Jewish Post & News is now available to read in the Oct. 21 edition of the paper.

Visit http://www.jewishpostandnews.com to find out how you can pick up a copy of The Jewish Post & News to read the article about the Empty Bowls Gala.

Winnipeg Free Press Editorials

Cameron Cross wrote this editorial for Winnipeg Harvest, which appeared in last Thursday's edition of the Winnipeg Free Press.

The concept behind Empty Bowls is simple. Students create and design ceramic bowls. Students then invite the community for a simple meal of soup and bread. Students then sell their bowls to community members-all money raised goes directly to assist Winnipeg Harvest. Purchased bowls are then left empty at home as a reminder that there are many Empty Bowls in the world.

The initiative was first started in Michigan in 1995 by a teacher who wanted to make a difference.  It's classic. Art vs. Hunger.  I came back to Winnipeg motivated.  I emailed Winnipeg Harvest about the idea and we've been working together ever since.

Empty Bowls is a simple project that helps get young people thinking and doing something about the issue of hunger in their community.
 
Empty Bowls provides the vehicle for students of all ages to take ownership of a problem, and tackle it head on. Through Empty Bowls, and with the guidance of their teachers, students go on a journey of learning, social activism and raising money for hunger education and more specifically, for Winnipeg Harvest. 

Empty Bowls has now become a significant fundraiser for Winnipeg Harvest - through the schools initiatives as well as the Celebrity Bowl auction.  As much as we all like to see the thousands of dollars being raised for Winnipeg Harvest, the true strength of Empty Bowls lies in it's power to engage young people to think; take action and become empathetic members of our society. I believe young people are eager to find concrete ways of making a difference. 

Over 50 Empty Bowl School programs throughout the province have contributed nearly $60,000 to help families in Manitoba.

Make a donation today to the Empty Bowls event. Please call 982-FOOD or donate at www.winnipegharvest.org

Cameron Cross is an Artist and a Visual Art Consultant for the Pembina Trails School Division

HMCS Winnipeg Flag Presentation

(Coxswain Dave Bliss, Flagmaker Fleurien Lizotte, Captain Rob Ferguson and crew of the HMCS Winnipeg)

Winnipeg Harvest took the time yesterday to recognize the HMCS Winnipeg and some of their crew members for their long standing support of us in our mission of distributing surplus food to Manitobans.

We have presented them with a flag and made them Volunteers of the Month. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule this week to volunteer at Winnipeg Harvest!

Congratulations and best wishes from all of us.

Bring a Tin for the Bin

We're (once again) reminding all Bomber fans who are attending tomorrow's game against the Montreal Alouettes to Bring a Tin for the Bin in support of Winnipeg Harvest. We collected over 1000 pounds of food from the last game, and we're hoping to collect even more tins after this game!

A Record Year for Staples Tools for School Campaign

Staples Business Depot partnered with Winnipeg Harvest and the Winnipeg Goldeyes for the Staples Tools for School campaign which ran from July 19 - September 15. Winnipeg residents were encouraged to drop off school supplies at Staples Business Depot locations and Winnipeg Goldeyes games so that Winnipeg Harvest could distribute the supplies to students as they return to school.

This year proved to be a record one for Staples, as the Staples Tools for School campaign wrapped up yesterday afternoon. Staples is pleased to announce that $30,632 was raised and 2410 children were sent to school with new school supplies.

Winnipeg Harvest executive coordinator, David Northcott said, "Although we are in tough economic times, it is more critical than ever that kids move forward in their life journey standing on a solid foundation of a good education – 'Tools for School' helps us all get there.”

The retired teachers who volunteered their time to run the annual school supply drive said they know the importance of these tools in a child’s education. Without the proper tools, these children can find it difficult to complete the schoolwork that will shape their own success and the educational health of their community.

Winnipeg Harvest and the children send a huge thank you to everyone who supported the Tools for School drive this year. 

 

Sharon Kerdes, winner of the $1000 shopping spree, with excited Staples store managers

 

Sharon Kerdes, winner of the $1000 shopping spree receiving her gift card from Staples District Manager Michael Dutka.

Key Thoughts about Winnipeg Harvest

Our Social Media Coordinator wrote an article for the Winnipeg Jewish Post & News about the 4th Annual Empty Bowls Gala. Barry McArton and Louis Trepel, the two co-chairs of the event, pointed out some excellent facts about Winnipeg Harvest and about poverty in Winnipeg, and in Manitoba.

For example:

• Winnipeg Harvest provides food to 320 food agencies in Manitoba. They supply food and supplies to many soup kitchens in Winnipeg, including Siloam Mission and Harbour Light.
• Approximately 3000 people a month leave the services of Winnipeg Harvest. Most of these people are new immigrants to Canada and need a boost - such as a job (or job training) and food. They do not rely on Winnipeg Harvest on a day-to-day basis.
• The majority of people who volunteer at Winnipeg Harvest are food recipients.
• Food banks are everywhere in Winnipeg - they are in River Heights, Tuxedo, The Maples, and Southdale (to name a few areas of the city). They are not just located in the hard-hit areas.

Barry McArton said something key about Winnipeg Harvest:

"If I lost my job today, I would do anything to feed my kids tomorrow. Where would the community be without Winnipeg Harvest? Winnipeg Harvest is a key organization to a large part of the community. They ask for nothing. They receive no funding from the government or from the United Way. They ask for food. That's it."

The article will be published in the October 27 edition of the Winnipeg Jewish Post & News.

Singing for Supper

More information coming soon

Bring a Tin for the Bin Info

Winnipeg, you are amazing!!
After yesterday's Bomber game, we collected 1072 pounds of food.
Keep up the great donation work, and we'll see you next game on October 24.

Bring a Tin for the Bin

We just wanted to send out a quick message to remind you to bring a tin for the bin to tomorrow's game against the B.C. Lions.

After the last game, we were able to accumulate over 900 pounds of food. We're so happy everyone came out and supported Winnipeg Harvest at the game. Hopefully we'll be able to collect even more food this time.

We're keeping our fingers crossed for another win for the Blue Bombers!