Go to Fraser Valley Gleaners web site @ www.fvgleaners.org for a printable version of this newsletter.

Soup mix arrived in Thailand via “Compassionate Resource Warehouse” in Victoria to Missionaries Dave & Heather Heppner, who work in the border areas of
Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand under the organization, “Global Neighbors Canada.” The following report and pictures were given: “Each year our students received dry soup mix, the students and teachers are very happy to have additional food from Global Neighbors.   At the KTTC (Karen Teacher Training College) there are 147 students and 16 teachers living together on the school compound. The students who study at KTTC are from community villages far from the school and far from their parents, so they live together at the college. The students use different recipes with the dried soup mix. It is made into a nutritious soup, sometimes as a stir fry with the vegetables. The soup mix is made as a topping for salad and also made as a chili paste and used as a topping on other food. Dry food that came from Fraser Valley Gleaners in Canada is full of nutrition, as our students receive limited food with full vitamins, this food helps them get more nutrition. They are happy to receive dry food and enjoy cooking and eating them in many different ways. Thank you, Gleaners.”

Our 21st Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday, April 25th at 10:00 AM. Meeting will be held at the plant, located at 85 Winson Rd., Abbotsford. BBQ lunch will be served after the meeting.
Nominations: The FVG constitution states that “Nominations for directors must be submitted to the board of directors, in writing, at least 24 hours before an annual meeting, in such a form as is published from time to time by the society.” There are several director positions up for election and we have appointed a nominations committee with nominations forms avaiable at the plant.  Please contact Ann VanderMeulen - Chairperson for Nominations Committee, (604-864-0229) for furthur information. 

* We are currently open Monday to Friday –  8:30 am until noon.  Saturdays will resume in May 2020.

* The plant will be closed February 17th for Family Day. 

* Fundraising for new Electric Forklift is complete, and the equipment will arrive in Spring.  Thank you! 

* Groups are encouraged to book for the summer months.  We have 4 RV Sites with hookups.  Dates still available in July and August. 

* Volunteer Appreciation Week is Feb. 24-28, 2020. 

* Tours are available daily of the Gleaners plant, Monday to Friday mornings - phone the office for a suitable time.

* 15 million soup servings were made at our plant in 2019.

* Impact Soccer Tournament in Chilliwack, Saturday, May 9th.  This is a fundraising event for Fraser Valley Gleaners.  www.impactsoccertournament.com

* Pray for God to give direction for the 2020 Year at Fraser Valley Gleaners.

* Current Fundraising Projects: Freight cost for trucking Dried Peas - $5,000. Utilities for one month - $2,200.

In late December 2019, we received a response from the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) regarding our appeal of their decision of June 4, 2019, denying our request to expand our kitchen, washroom and office facilities. The response from the ALC again denied our application to expand. They did not ask us to remove or tear down any existing buildings, except for the walls of the lean-to on the west side of the kitchen, within 1 year, as these were constructed without permit, and simply closed in the lean-to that was constructed as part of our original building in 2000. The removal of these walls would further restrict the coffee area, which is already too small! The Board of Directors is reviewing this decision, to decide what can be done in light of this recent, disappointing decision. We continue to ask you to pray with us that God’s purposes will be accomplished, and if possible, this decision can still be reversed.
Ed Klassen President

On December 12th, Fraser Valley Gleaners had their Annual Christmas Social. This popular event was held at the Gleaner Plant and was attended by over 210
people. Carol Singing was led by Bob and Ann and a delicious lunch was had by all. Thank you for bringing your favourites. Troy Gaglardi with the organization, “Missions Without Borders Canada,” was our guest speaker and shared pictures and reported of Gleaners Soup Mix distribution in Romania and Moldova

Fraser Valley Gleaners is 100% donor driven.  Your donation dollars help us feed some of the world’s hungry by converting surplus food into a nutritious soup mix.  Funds donated are used to operate our facility.  Charitable tax receipts will be issued for your donations in February 2020.  By Mail – cheque or money order donations can be mailed to 85 Winson Road, Abbotsford, B.C. V2S 8E8.  By Internet – credit card donations can be made via Canada Helps by following the link on our web site @ www.fvgleaners.org.   By Phone - Donations can be made by credit card.  Call 604-870-9272 and talk to one of our staff.  Thank you for your continued support to this ministry.   

 Trevor Fowler, Mark Hardy, Ed Klassen, Bill Spyksma, Dave Staley, Wade Trimble, Ann VanderMeulen, Case VanMuyen, Marilyn Vriend and Vic Willms.

The Bible says: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord...it is the Lord you are serving.” Col 3:23

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