I have been working very closely with Keren Taylor-Hughes from Harvest Manitoba meeting on a bi-weekly basis to ensure that Winnipeggers food security needs in the middle of pandemic are being supported and that such an important community organization has the support that it needs.
You may notice a new name? Winnipeg Harvest has rebranded to reflect those they serve. This community organization’s assistance extends far beyond Winnipeg city limits.
This year close to 9,000 volunteers donated 191,770 hours to the Harvest Manitoba Food Bank Network in Winnipeg and across Manitoba. However due to the pandemic the need is still great. Harvest Manitoba needs a 30% increase in Volunteer hours to sustain existing needs as more than 80,000 Manitobans need food this month!
Volunteers Needed
There’s a way for you, your family, your business or community group to help Harvest feed hungry Manitobans. There is even a way for high schoolers to earn their volunteer credit hours! Students please see here.
Harvest Manitoba has a wide variety of jobs including intake, sort, pack, organize, clean, drive and more! Harvest Manitoba is COVID-19 safety-compliant, PPE is provided, and physical distancing is respected. Training is provided. Shifts are flexible.
To apply for a volunteer position, please fill out an application form and Harvest Manitoba will be in contact with you. If you have a special skill you would like to highlight and share with us, please include these on your application.
* Harvest Volunteers Schedule shifts here
Top 7 Needed Food Donations
- Canned fish and poultry — tuna, salmon, chicken or turkey, packed in water.
- Canned fruit and vegetables, packed in their own juices.
- Canned stew, chili or brown beans.
- Canned soup, particularly lentil, pea or vegetable soups.
- Peanut butter.
- Whole-grain pasta or whole-wheat pasta (under 400 g)
- Rice — brown, converted or parboiled (under 400 g)
- Cereal, preferably high in fibre and not sugar-coated.
Cash donations are also welcomed. Please see here for how to donate: https://www.harvestmanitoba.ca/ways-to-give/donate-money/
Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry Food Banks
Did you know that we have nine food banks in the Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry ward? Did you know that every four weeks these nine food banks assist anywhere from 40 to 120 families per location; and an average of 45 lbs of food is given per family?
These are all the wonderful community groups in our ward assisting Harvest Manitoba to get food to your dining room tables:
- The Meeting Place - 143 Smith Street
- Broadway Neighbourhood Centre - 185 Young St
- Bell Tower at Westminster United Church - 745 Westminster Ave
- First Unitarian Church - 603 Wellington Cres
- Mayfair Recreation Centre - 40 Mayfair Place
- Nassau Street Church - 232 Nassau St N
- Trinity Baptist Church - 549 Gertrude Ave
- Oakwood Community Table - 366 Oakwood Ave
- Bethel Mennonite Church - 465 Stafford Ave
Call Harvest Manitoba’s Food Line at 204-982-3660 and register for food bank. All you require is your Manitoba Health Card identification number you do not require proof of income.