Cherryville Community Food & Resources Food Bank News Seniors Meal Program – A Great Success!!

Seniors Meal Program – A Great Success!!


October 17th, 2020 marked the pick-up day of our FIRST pre-made meals for seniors, and it rolled out absolutely wonderfully! Turkey Dinner was the meal available which came with turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, stuffing, a bun, and dessert. All individually prepared meals are $5.00 and we successfully packaged and sold 135! This day would NOT have been possible without an incredible, hardworking, and compassionate crew of people and I would like to personally thank the following:

Our Volunteer Cooks, Meal Preppers, and Packagers: Diana Verhage, Corrie Verhage, Manda Harrop, Karen St. Pierre, & Bev Melvin.

         

A special thank you to Greg Cretin, a professional meat carver who graciously volunteered his time to carve all 6 turkeys!

We thank Lynne Frerrichs and Angelia Harvey who coordinated meal orders, made calls, and supported the set up and launch of this meal program.

Also, a special thank you to Angelia Harvey who delivered meals to those who were unable to drive or wasn’t able to make it for pick-up.

Lastly, a very special thank you to Sharon Harvey and the Cherryville Community Food Bank Society who spent months planning and working together to see this vision come to fruition. With the positive feedback we have already received from seniors, families, and community members, this is clearly a need for our community and we are beyond excited to be able to offer this service. Most of the food was donated by the Cherryville Community Food Bank, some was donated by Dolman’s and without everyone who showed up to support us, this would not have been possible.

From the bottom of our hearts….Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

As a reminder, if you would like to specifically donate to this service, all funds go back into the meal program itself. Simply click the Donate Now page and make a special note at the bottom as to where you would like your donations to go (for example: $20 to purchase 4 meals for seniors; $50.00 towards food costs, etc.) and we will ensure your donation request is honored.

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ATTENTIONATTENTION

A message from the President of Cherryville Community Food Bank Society:

Well I am sad to say our little food bank is affected by Corona. We must stop our Thursday operations until further notice. If you need food please contact Barb and we will arrange pick up. 250-260-0562 or myself at 250-547-6646.

We are accepting donations and are following strict standards to keep our at risk population protected as best we can. Please wash your hands often. Stay away from crowds and if you feel sick-even a little-stay at home.

We will provide updates as they arise.

Please pass this message on to all residents in the Cherryville area so they are aware. Those that don’t or can’t use Facebook are at risk so tell your neighbors.

Thank you Cherryville for all the support,

Sharon Harvey

New Job OpportunityNew Job Opportunity

Seniors Outreach & Caregiver Support Job Position

Position Summary

Cherryville Community Food and Resource Society (CCFRS) is looking to hire a part-time outreach worker. Part of this position is to fulfill the Community Connector role, our new social prescribing program for older adults living in Cherryville who are looking for support and connection. The other part of this position includes working collaboratively with our Caregiver Support Clinician and implementing various support groups for caregivers living in both Cherryville and Lumby area.

Education, Training, and Experience:

  • Minimum one-year related experience working with seniors, caregivers, or others in an outreach type role; or an equivalent combination of training and experience
  • Group work experience an asset
  • Human Service Worker Diploma or Certificate preferred
  • Must hold a current First Aid & CPR Certificate (available through CCFRS)
  • Satisfactory Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector
  • Must be at least 19 years of age
  • Must have a Valid Drivers Licence

Work Performed

Duties and Responsibilities for this position include:

  • Building Rapport with Older Adults: as part of the Community Connector role, meeting with Cherryville older adults in the community and supporting them in their personal health and wellness goals. Encouraging socialization and reconnection to community-based resources and services. Working with health care professionals to support transitions between hospital and home. Includes conducting home visits in Cherryville area.
  • Support Groups and Events: planning and facilitating various support groups (in-person/virtual) for caregivers living in Cherryville and Lumby. Planning 3-4 larger events in both Cherryville and Lumby throughout the year which may include educational workshops, luncheons, dinner with presenters, etc. to support caregivers in their role and to reduce stress/burnout.
  • System Navigation Support: Making referrals to other programs, resources, and services both in Cherryville area and elsewhere as applicable.
  • Working Collaboratively: Working as part of various teams, includes attending community of practice meetings with other Community Connectors, building relationships and liaising with community partners both in Cherryville and Lumby, working positively with CCFRS staff.
  • Evaluation and Reporting: must provide quarterly reports to Executive Director and maintain relevant statistics and data tracking. Encourage client feedback and quality impact surveys.
  • Fostering Safe Environments: embracing a non-judgemental approach and encouraging open and inclusiveness with program participants, families, community partners, and staff.
  • Adhering to CCFRS policy and procedures

Hours: This is a part time position, 22.5 hours per week at $22/hour. Hours are flexible as determined in accordance with Executive Director. Mileage reimbursement at $.65 per km.

Place of Work: Cherryville Resource Center (158 North Fork Rd.), some caregiver support events and groups to be ran centrally in Lumby. Some remote work may be considered.

Qualified applicants are invited to submit resume with at least two references by email to:
Meghan Derkach, Executive Director at meghan.derkach@hotmail.com

APPLY NOW! Get your resumes in as soon as possible as we plan to start interviewing suitable candidates starting April 22nd onward with potential hire date beginning of May. We look forward to hearing from you!

Download a copy of the Seniors Outreach & Caregiver Support Job Position here:

National Indigenous History MonthNational Indigenous History Month

June is the designated month for celebrating First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples heritage, culture and accomplishments and Cherryville Community Food & Resources wants to create space to recognize this rich history especially today, June 21st as it is the 25th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day.

First, we want to remember the 215 children recently found at Kamloops Residential School and we stand in solidarity with Indigenous families and communities who are mourning these losses as well as many others, who are residential school survivors, and who continue to be impacted today by the appalling role of colonialism. With the slow, incremental progress the Canadian government has made toward implementing the 94 calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation act, non-Indigenous people must stand with Canada’s Indigenous populations and demand for real progress to transpire.

We will be putting orange ribbons in our hamper distributions for the next few months to bring awareness about Orange Shirt Day, a commemorative day for “over 150,000 Indigenous children [who] attended residential schools in Canada from the late 1800’s until…[1996 where]…it’s estimated that over 5,000 died while under residential school care. Now is the time to listen to the stories of survivors and their families and learn from them, so that these mistakes are not repeated. It is a time for conversations about understanding the survivors’ truths and beginning the journey toward reconciliation. Now is the time for an exploration of opportunities to do better for generations of children to come” (BC Achievement Association, 2021). For more information on the meaning behind Orange Shirt Day visit:

https://www.bcachievement.com/2020/09/29/every-child-matters-the-meaning-behind-orange-shirt-day/

https://www.orangeshirtday.org/about-us.html

Cherryville resides on the unceded territory of the Syilx tmixw (Okanagan). https://native-land.ca/maps/territories/okanagan/

“The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) was formed in 1981 as the inaugural First Nations government in the Okanagan which represents the 8 member communities including; Okanagan Indian Band, Upper Nicola Band, Westbank First Nation, Penticton Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band and Lower and Upper Similkameen Indian Bands and the Colville Confederated Tribes on areas of common concern. Each community is represented through the Chiefs Executive Council (CEC) by their Chief or Chairman.

The Syilx/Okanagan people still affirm the land is theirs, as no treaty has been negotiated” syilx.org

How non-Indigenous people can fight colonialism and become allies to our Indigenous communities (as cited by On Canada Project)

“Settlers Take Action

Step 1: Find out whose traditional territory you live on. Visit native-land.ca

Step 2: Click on the links of the territories from native-land.ca and learn more about the original caretakers of the land you now inhabit, their history and the current issues that affect their communities.

Step 3: Read about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and its 94 Calls to Action.

Step 4: Email your MP. Tell them you care about the Indigenous people of Canada and want to see action taken to reconcile with them, as described in the Truth and Reconciliation Report. Ask for an update on what they are personally doing to take action. Hold them accountable.” https://oncanadaproject.ca/settlerstakeaction

Support Indigenous Businesses

Shop First Nations is a website that has compiled Indigenous Business across the nation. You can search by province and sub category including: health & beauty, food & beverage, retail, art & entertainment, professionals, construction, attractions, hospitality, legal services and more. For BC specific, check out this website: https://shopfirstnations.com/locations/canada/british-columbia/  

Local Resources and Supports

Vernon Friendship Centre: an Indigenous non-profit affiliated with the BC Association of Friendship Centres, providing culturally appropriate health/social programs and services for the North Okanagan community. Check out their website at http://www.vernonfirstnationsfriendshipcentre.com/  or, call: (250)-542-1247.

First Nations Health Authority: the first and only provincial First Nations Health Authority in Canada, working to transform and reform the way health care is delivered to BC First Nations. There are a variety of resources, supports, and services available to BC First Nations listed at https://www.fnha.ca/  For more information specific to the Interior Region, please contact: interior.region@fnha.ca or call:​ 1-877-440-1140 (toll-free)​

For more information about available health benefits including dental, medical supplies and equipment, medical transportation, mental health, pharmacy, and vision, the Interior Region contact is Joyce Kenoras – Phone: 250-318-6634

Final Message

In light of National Indigenous History Month, we interviewed Kathi Shields, a 14 year resident of Cherryville who identifies as Métis. We asked her if she would like to present a message of encouragement to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people living in Cherryville and this was her response:

And, “I am very grateful to be living in Cherryville on Okanagan territory”.