September is generally a time of garden abundance.
The Sooke Region Volunteer Centre (SRVC) is looking for donations of fruit and vegetables to use for the Grand Cook-Off Day, September 27, 2014. The event will bring together non-profit groups to cook, bake and can up a storm. The resulting products, pies, bread, jams, etc. will be sold and the proceeds shared between the participating organizations.
As an added benefit, SRVC has lined up 15 ‘free’ volunteers through UVic and Volunteer Victoria’s Project Serve Day. Plus the folks on the Sooke Region Community Health Initiative (CHI) committee have voted to be part of the general pool of volunteers.
More than just a busy day of preserving, the weekend is gearing up to be a full festival weekend. Sooke Family Resource Society (SRFS) organizing the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Sooke Child, Youth and Family Centre, locally referred to as the CASA Building, on the same day. The next day, Sunday, September 28, Sooke Region Food CHI is also planning an Apple Fest at the Sunriver Community Gardens.
Participating organizations include: Rotary Club of Sooke, East Sooke Neighbourhoods Association and Friends of Coppermine Park Society, Sooke Yoga Society, with two others still considering.
“We will use as many commercial kitchens as are needed, based on produce available and organizations participating,” said Barry, “St. Vincent de Paul is donating canning jars. Three bags of flour have already been donated, one by T’Sou-ke Arts Group and two bags of locally grown product from Parry Bay Sheep and Stillmeadow Farms in Metchosin.”
If you have an abundance of fruits or vegetables and wish to donate them, to place advance orders, or for more information, please contact the Volunteer Centre office, 6672 Wadams Way, Tuesday or Thursday afternoon, or leave a message at 250-642-6364 Ext. 235 or info@sookeregionvolunteers@gmail.com.
While the volunteer centre folks have some freezer space, they cannot pick the fruit for you. If you are looking to have your fruit trees gleaned, please check with Sooke Food CHI info@sookefoodchi.ca
Put Saturday and Sunday, September 27 & 28 on your calendar for a full weekend of fun and festivities.