Ontario Grain Farmer December 2023 / January 2024

Rural living

Rebecca Hannam

Farming for world hunger CANADIAN FOODGRAINS BANK CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

WORKING TOGETHER TO end global hunger has been the mission driving a national charity for the last four decades. While food security remains a major issue around the world today, there is no doubt that the organization is making a significant impact. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank — which began when Canadian farmers wanted to share the abundance of their harvest with those facing hunger — has supported over 32 million people in 80 countries.

RESPONDING TO HUNGER The two types of Foodgrains Bank projects focus on providing emergency food assistance and facilitating long-term response work. Depending on the situation, assistance can come in the form of food rations, store vouchers, or cash being distributed directly to the people who need it. The donated funds for food assistance are eligible for a 4:1 match from the Government of Canada.

With a membership of 15 Christian churches and church-based agencies, the Foodgrains Bank operates by raising Canadian funds and partnering with locally-based organizations in developing countries. "One of the greatest strengths is working with the partners because they are on the ground in the developing countries," explains Henry Reinders, Ontario and Quebec regional representative. "They know the situation, know about the context and are able to identify the needs and work with our members to address it."

Reinders shares that a lot of the organization's long-term response work is based on teaching

JOHN MBAE, JACK KOETSIER, HENRY REINDERS, BILL SCHENK, AND JOHN YOUNG VISITING THE BLUEWATER PROJECT IN SARNIA.

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