Two key volunteers, Larry Galbraithe and Nancy Bennett, have stepped up this late summer to coordinate Food Chi’s fruit tree gleaning program, a program run successfully in recent past summers.
Gleaning – a fine activity of gathering and sharing food that may go to waste. Food recovery.
This program will extend well into October.
Food CHI is coordinating the program with cooperation and support from a number of helping agencies who receive one-third of the picked fruit , volunteers receive a third as does the property owner if desired. Nothing is wasted. Even the orchard at Sunriver Gardens donates its fruit.
Food CHI greatly appreciates the support of Sooke Food Bank, CASA, the Crisis Centre and Meals on Wheels for accepting and distributing the picked fruit, one less meal for the bears, more nutritious foods for our citizens! Food Chi also works with Debbie Read from WildSafe, the CRD bear aware program.
However to make this program work Food Chi does need a few more picking volunteers – to lend a hand. Not everyone needs to be up a ladder. All picking gear is provided, all picks are supervised, some transportation can be arranged, and volunteers are covered by Food Chi’s liability insurance.
For a few hours a week, you can make a big difference.
For those properties who want their fruit picked a site visit is required first, assessment of the fruit – will it keep before distribution to helping agencies. A priority list is set up and as volunteer resources permit a time to pick likely can be arranged. Priority is given to those families who for a number of reasons are no longer able to pick.
Please call Larry at 250-889-7482 or Nancy at 250-642-0401 if you can lend a hand or have a few trees that you are not able to pick.