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For a printable versionGo to Fraser Valley Gleaners web site @ www.fvgleaners.org for a printable version of this newsletter. |
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President's ReportThe spring of 2020 has turned out to be so different; no one in their wildest imagination would have predicted it and Fraser Valley Gleaners was no exception. On March 19, pursuant to the BC Health Department’s edict, we made the decision to shut down our operations until we were allowed to operate. Volunteers were not allowed to come work at the plant. This was extremely disappointing, but necessary to be done to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible. However, our staff, Carl and Elaine Goosen and Joel Pasma continued to work every day doing many things to improve the plant, such as upgrades in the kitchen, painting, cleaning, as well as repairing and maintaining equipment. This also gave us the opportunity to remodel/reconfigure our current washroom facilities, which had been planned previously. We were able to restart operations again, on a limited basis, on May 19, beginning with bagging and packaging soup mix only. The staff have done a lot of work in planning the plant for safe social distancing for volunteers, while still working efficiently. Volunteers are asked to sign up for certain days, and only a limited number were allowed to come each day, so as to comply with the Health Department’s criteria. Even coffee time is set up for safe social distancing! So far, it has gone very well, for which we are thankful. While these are challenging and stressful times for all of us, we rest in the assurance that our God is still in control and none of this is a surprise to Him. We want to continue to serve him as best we can as we feed the world’s hungry with a bowl of soup. Ed Klassen, President |
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AGM NotesAGM Notes: On Saturday, June 27th, 2020, we came together and celebrated by having our Annual General Meeting. This meeting was first scheduled for April 25, 2020, but due to Covid19 we were finally able to have it by doing social distancing and wearing masks. We had 36 members in attendance. Ed Klassen, our president, thanked those who came as this meeting did not have the great BBQ lunch that we are used to. We accepted the 2019 minutes, heard that financially Gleaners is doing very well, listened to reports from all the different committees that our board members and volunteers are involved with and elected directors for this coming year. We also were given a presentation by Judy Bergen from Guatemala, of the many different places and organizations that our soup mix goes to and keeps children and others from going hungry. We are grateful for Judy and her work there and thankful that Gleaners can be a part of showing mercy and love to those in need. We thanked Carl, Elaine and Joel for getting us through this pandemic, and brainstormed ideas on how to keep Gleaners open and working with all the restrictions and care for those who come to volunteer. As someone said: “Be Kind, Be Calm and Be Safe.” May we give our thanks and praise to God who enables us to do exactly that. Marilyn Vriend - Secretary |
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Impact 7 Aside Soccer TournamentImpact 7 Aside Soccer Tournament was to have their 10 Annual Tournament in Chilliwack on May 9th, 2020. This was a fundraiser for this organization. The Impact Committee chose Fraser Valley Gleaners as their not-for-profit charity this year. Due to the current restrictions and Covid-19 the Tournament was cancelled for this year. The Impact Group decided to continue fundraising and in June presented Carl & Elaine a cheque for $75,000.00 for FVG. Thank you to the Impact Team and all the donors for this event and for your generous gift! |
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Love GuatemalaA full container of Soup Mix and Apple Snacks left our warehouse in February heading to Central America. Judy Bergen with ‘Love Guatemala Canada’ received this container in March. It was quickly unloaded with a team of volunteers to Judy’s base just out of Antigua, Guatemala. Judy writes, “Because of the Corona virus, schools are not open, major businesses and malls are closed, people in the communities that I visit are asking for food. Pastor Luis and his wife have a soup kitchen for children returning from school. Nellie and her family have a soup kitchen just north of Guatemala City and she has trained the women of several villages how to use the soup. Maximillano has two soup kitchens feeding the people who lost their homes 2 years ago after the Volcano Fuego erupted. Often the soup is used to feed people on the street. We have fed 1032 families in the past 8 weeks, which equals 30,400 lbs. of food distributed. We have enough soup to last until August. We are ready to receive the next load that was shipped in July from FVG. Thank you to all the volunteers for their dedication to feeding the people of Guatemala. Blessings!” Judy Bergen Love Guatemala Canada |
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DonationsFraser 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 2021. 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. |
