In 2016 we teamed up with Lake Country Food Bank and established the “Network of Sharing” in which we have connected nine different food banks that we can distribute food to when we receive large quantities of food. This reduces food waste entering our landfills, a national issue that has major environmental effects, as well as puts more food directly into the hands of community members, programs, activities, and events. Inspired by this partnership, we reached out to collaborate with Nakusp Food Bank who supports five rural communities between us. With safe transport of perishable items being the largest obstacle, we successfully sought and secured funding through Food Banks BC to purchase a refrigerated truck. We are now delivering fresh vegetables, fruits, breads, dairy products, and any other food/household goods we receive in excess that they are willing and able to accept. Extending this network of sharing concept into the Kootenay region has proven to be a positive impact for all communities involved as well as reducing the environmental impact of excessive waste entering our landfills. Our commitment to this social cause has resulted in this expansion of our food bank services, directly contributing to our mission of promoting healthy living and food security while reducing waste.
This program is funded by Interior Health through the Community Food Action Initiative grant.
Tis the Season! We have been busy planning, organizing, and collecting items for this years Christmas Hamper event for our Cherryville residents. If you, or someone you know, could benefit from a Christmas hamper this year, please reach out to Sharon Harvey at 250-550-6646 or drop in to the Resource Center and pick up an application from either Michelle or Amanda. Hamper pick ups will be December 17th at the Cherryville Community Hall, all individuals will be provided a time slot after registration is complete. *Deadline for submissions is December 8th!
If you are not familiar with this program, each year around Christmas time we provide an extra large hamper to individuals in need along with Christmas presents for any children part of this program. Although Christmas time can be filled with excitement and wonder, it can also be a very stressful time of year and a real financial burden. We have been giving back to our Cherryville residents to try and alleviate those Christmas stressors for well over 40 years now!
Are you looking to donate or help with this event? There are a few different ways you can support our families at this time.
Annual Angel Brunch – this is a wonderful time spent together in community, sharing great food and even better conversation! Come hang out at the hall with us for some friendly banter and socializing. Everyone is encouraged to bring a brunch item and an unwrapped gift for a child to be used for our children in need at Christmas time. We will accept everything, small stocking stuffers to larger presents, all is welcome! When? Friday, November 25th at the Cherryville Hall from 10:00am-12:00pm.
Angel Sponsorship – our “Angels” are symbolic of every Cherryville child registered for a hamper. We work closely with Cherryville Elementary School where the kids complete Santa Wish Lists that we can then find a few items to include as Christmas gifts. Every angel card for sponsorship includes details about the child you are sponsoring (except the name as the identity of our children remain confidential) and some suggested likes and dislikes.
Christmas Bazaar – Cherryville Community Food & Resource Society will have a table set up at the Christmas Bazaar along with “Angels” in need of sponsorship. We will have homemade baked goods for sale where all proceeds go toward funding our Christmas Hamper and Gifts event. If you would like to sponsor a child or donate money toward sponsorship of a child, this is a great place to do it. Or, instead of giving money we are welcoming any homemade baked item that we can use for sale at the Bazaar. Please drop any baked goods off to Sharon Harvey at 412 Sugar Lake Rd by Saturday, December 3rd.
Thank you to all the incredible volunteers we have, the outstanding staff, and to this beautiful community who continues to give and support our residents year after year with such love and compassion. Cherryville is truly unique and we are beyond blessed to call this our home.
THIS POSITION HAS NOW BEEN FILLED – thank you to all who applied.
Job Title: Pre-made Senior Meals Cook and Food Bank Helper
Community: Cherryville
Status: 12-week position, April 15th – December 18th 2021
Position Summary
The Cherryville Community Food Bank is hiring a temporary casual worker to join our team in Cherryville for the year of 2021. We have an incredible team of local staff and volunteers who work together to provide various resources and services to the community. We are constantly growing our vision and working collaboratively to bridge services and resources to our community.
We are looking for someone to join our team and take on the role and responsibilities for cooking our monthly senior meals for the remainder of 2021. There is potential for hours to continue into 2022. In addition, there will be three weeks dedicated to helping at the food bank including the construction of our Christmas Hampers and processing food harvested from our Community Garden in September.
**This is a work opportunity for anyone that is qualified to receive B.C. income or disability assistance – it is meant to provide short-term relief for individuals effected by COVID-19 and increase their ability to participate in the labor market. Note: you do not have to be actively in receipt of income or disability assistance payments from the Ministry or Government of Canada to be eligible for this position.
Meal Cook Responsibilities:
Working with staff to determine meals that will be cooked each month
Picking up adequate supply of food to construct 100-125 pre-made meals
Taking the lead on cooking meals, includes delegating tasks to volunteers who help prepare, cook, and construct pre-made meal containers
Must adhere to food safety requirements
Training, Experience, and Skills:
Must have current Food Safe – if you do not have this, there is opportunity to get it free through the Food Bank
Experience in cooking, particularly with large quantities of food
Effective time management skills is necessary
Willing to work collaboratively with a team of staff and volunteers
Wages: stipend of $300 per meal completed (9 meals); 3 weeks helping at food bank ($300 per week) for total of 12 weeks of work.
The Cherryville Community Food Bank Society takes COVID-19 safety protocols very seriously and the person employed in this position will be expected to comply with our policy and procedures to reduce risk of spreading the virus and maintain safety.
If you are interested in applying for this position, contact Sharon Harvey at 250-550-6646. Please have a current resume available, there will be an interview scheduled for all candidates who meet requirements.
Thank you to Food Banks Canada for supporting Cherryville Community Food & Resource Society with a very generous grant, with funding through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Emergency Food Security Fund. The food security services we provide would not be possible without your incredible support.
Photos are of our 2021 Christmas Hamper & Gifts for Children Event. Thanks to Food Banks Canada, we were able to purchase food to fill 70 hampers! This is an increase compared to previous years and a testament to how COVID-19 continues to impact our community. Thank you again for your ongoing support!
The students from Cherryville Elementary School who helped the Cherryville Community Food & Resource Society set up and prepare hampers for the Christmas Hamper & Gifts for Children event. Thank you all!
