The Home & Garden Tour is coming
Friday, May 28, 2004
Don't miss it! The sixth annual Gabriola Home & Garden Tour takes place on Sunday, June 27th, 10 am - 5 pm. Several islanders will graciously open their home and/or garden to the public. The day involves a self-guided tour of beautiful Gabriola homes and gardens featuring unique design, historical detail, island charm and quality. Tix go on sale after June 1st, a great deal at $20 each. Proceeds from the Home & Garden Tour support the programs and services of PHC. More info, please call 247-7311.
Thank you to the United Way
The United Way of Nanaimo and district has granted PHC $2,000 to support a new initiative "Community Food Support Network: Families First." The goals of the initiative over the next year are to increase family access to healthier, nutritious food, provide parenting resources, and enhance community supports for families.
We thank the United Way for providing support as we work together in enhance the health and well-being of Gabriolans.
HungerCount 2004
Food Depot use on Gabriola has increased by one-third over the past year. Last year an average of 42 households used the services of the depot. This year an average of 60 households are accessing the depot with close to 1500 visits. In March alone, almost $2300 worth of food was distributed. Each household averages about $35/month in groceries received. Over 100 volunteer hrs/month are required to operate the depot. Almost one-third being fed are children.
The data was gathered by food programs coordinator Debi Brummel for the national HungerCount 2004 sponsored by the Canadian Assocation of Food Banks (CAFB). We thank all our supporters and donors for helping to relieve hunger on Gabriola.
"Feed Our Children" walk across Canada
It has been 15 years since the federal government passed a resolution to end child poverty by the year 2000, yet Canadian children now comprise 39% of food bank clients.
Dymka Julien is walking from Vancouver to Halifax to raise awareness of hunger in Canada. "Feed Our Children...Walk for Humanity" started in Vancouver on May 9th and Dymka plans to finish his journey in late fall in Halifax. He's carrying the banner of the CAFB, encouraging his fellow Canadians to donate to their local food banks or make a donation to the CAFB. Members of CAFB distributed an estimated 150 million pounds of food last year. For every dollar raised, the CAFB can move $75 worth of food.
Rainbow Nanaimo celebrates 15 years
In April, Rainbows celebrated 15 years of service in the Nanaimo area, and honoured the retirement of Ann-Marie Hewer as Rainbows director, a role she held for the past 15 years.
Rainbows is a peer support group program for children who have suffered a significant loss in their lives, either by death, divorce, or any other painful transition.
Rainbows was established in Nanaimo by Ann-Marie Hewer. Nanaimo was the first community in BC to have Rainbows. There are now more than 100 sites throughout BC. 3000 participants have benefited from the Rainbows in the past 15 years.
Thanks to donors
We'd also like to thank the following supporters for generous donations over the past month: Dirk & Eveline Boyse, Irene & Gordon Quaale, Em Gavin, Kurt Reisenleiter and Margaret Fritschy, Joyce Campbell, Jen Turner, Gabriola Women's Business Network, Jean McLaren, Silva Bay Island Maids, Elaine Kantola, New Society Publishers, and the Ecumenical Community of St Martins and Our Lady of Victory.
The Emergency Food Depot is open every Tuesday, 10 am - l pm. Food donations can be dropped off between 9 - 10 am.
PHC works to:
- address poverty and isolation issues, and support for those in crisis
- provide food to people experiencing food shortages
- promote nutrition awareness and food preparation skills
- support children and families
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