CHERRYVILLE YOUTH ARTS & CULTURE

The Cherryville Community Food Bank has worked tirelessly to grow and expand as an organization to further our reach into the community and provide a variety of community resources. We now have an ongoing senior services program staffed by Angelia Harvey who connects with senior residents on a regular basis. To date, Angelia has made 363 phone call check-ins, 98 virtual visits, 40 grocery shopping and delivery (includes going to Franks/Emporium to get items for seniors in need), 30 transportation services and a handful of prescription drop-offs. In addition, Angelia delivers pre-made meals to seniors for those who do not drive or are unable to make it for pick-up. To date, we have made and sold 755 senior meals! This service has been a huge success and we could not do it without the support of volunteers, staff, and the community hall.

Also, you may have noticed that we are increasing services to Cherryville including the Heart Health Clinic, Hearing Checks, and Foot Care. These services have been made possible through the coordination between Lumby & District Health Services, White Valley Community Resources, and Cherryville Community Food Bank and we must give a massive shout out to Lynne Frerichs who is a major driving force behind these services being present in our community, making them as accessible as possible. Additionally, we have started providing supports around applying for benefits like the BC Recovery Benefit and will continue to offer these supports as needed.

Furthermore, we have been committed to creating short-term work opportunities for our youth and community residents as we secure various grants. In the summer, we employ one to two students to maintain our Community Garden and carry out tasks as a food bank helper. We provide WHMIS and Food Safe for those who are employed and work hard to ensure participants receive a well-rounded work experience. Most recently, we will be employing a community resident to prepare and cook the senior meals for 2021. We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to provide this work opportunity for a Cherryville resident.

We have an incredible team of people behind the Cherryville Community Food Bank and we are excited to continuously expand and provide support as needed. If you are interested in volunteering or employment opportunities, feel free to contact us by phone or email any time. We will be posting employment opportunities as they rise throughout the community.

Lastly, our organization relies on the generous donors who support our vision and mission for meeting the needs within our community. Any amount of donation is greatly appreciated, from the bottoms of our hearts, thank you for your contribution and support.

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.