By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
Hundreds gathered Aug. 9 for the annual day of fun and food at Bruno Cherry Sunday, with many stopping at the Grow Hope Saskatchewan information booth to learn a little more about global hunger and food insecurity, and how to help.
For the past several years, Grow Hope has had a presence at the event in Bruno, SK, joining other local vendors with their information display. It is a good local fit, as Bruno-area farmers Brian and Michelle Hergott have again dedicated land and expertise to grow a canola crop for the Grow Hope Saskatchewan fund-raising project – supported by donors who cover input costs.
This year’s Grow Hope booth at Bruno Cherry Sunday. (Photo by Michael LeBlanc, Development and Peace-Caritas Canada)
The information booth at the Cherry Sunday festival again generated a lot of interest, with many stopping by to participated in a fund-raising raffle for prizes donated by Hergott Industries in Humboldt and Horizon Fertilizers in Bruno.
The draws raised almost $200 for Grow Hope Saskatchewan, reported Michael LeBlanc, regional coordinator of the Catholic organization Development and Peace-Caritas Canada, one of the Grow Hope Saskatchewan member agencies.
Other Grow Hope members are: Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan, Canadian Baptist Ministries, Saskatchewan Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, Canadian Lutheran World Relief, and Alongside Hope (Anglican Church of Canada).
Throughout the day, LeBlanc and Alongside Hope volunteer coordinator Kim Umbach and youth coordinator Sara Bird also shared with passers by the good news of the food security projects supported thanks to Grow Hope.
“it was a beautiful day to celebrate all the good harvests from Saskatchewan farmers set to feed the hungry all over the world,” said LeBlanc.
Bruno Cherry Sunday is held on the grounds of St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission, which includes a cherry orchard. (Photo by Astrid Alas, Catholic Saskatoon News)
How Grow Hope works: A number of farmers in Saskatchewan have donated land and agreed to grow a crop for Grow Hope Saskatchewan. It costs $350 per acre to provide seed, fertilizer, fuel and other inputs. Donors from all walks of life are invited to sponsor a partial acre, full acre or multiple acres to help cover these costs. After harvest, the farmers sell the crop and donate the proceeds to Canadian Foodgrains Bank. The proceeds from the sale of the crop can be as much as $600 per acre or more. These funds in turn may be matched up to 4:1 through an arrangement with Global Affairs Canada. Funds raised provide emergency food supplies and long-term food security programs to people facing hunger across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
To donate to support this year’s crop to feed the hungry go to www.growhopesk.ca/donate — there is an option to donate through each member agency.
The Grow Hope table featured information and fund-raising draws. (Photo by Astrid Alas, Catholic Saskatoon News)
A cherry sundae at Bruno Cherry Sunday. (Photo by Astrid Alas, Catholic Saskatoon News)
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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca.
Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.