Vert-à-Go

The Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op will hold its annual dinner and auction on Thursday, 28 May. The fun starts at 5:30 pm with cocktails and the silent auction, supper is at 6:30 pm, and the live auction will kick off after that at 8:30pm.

The Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op is an alternative high school program for at risk youth. Those who take part in CNYC’s programs can earn high school credits while learning life and employment skills in a compassionate environment. One of Core’s great initiatives is its urban gardening program. Here, young people learn valuable skills by studying horticulture and their environment. They take part in a variety of gardening activities centred around aquaponic and traditional greenhouses and raised bed gardening, learning composting techniques, bee keeping, canning, preserving, healthy eating, and cooking. They also manufacture some lovely furniture (including garden furniture), which is for sale, as well as rain barrels and worm composting bins. Keep your eye out for the salad and salsa containers CNYC will be putting together and selling at the Farmers’ Market next month!

Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op dinner and auction

When: Thursday 28 May , 5:30pm-10pm

Where: Louis’ Pub, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK (Google map)

COST: $40

For more information: Call Kayla Hrynewich at (306) 665-3889 or see their web site

“At this festive season of the year, Mr Scrooge,” said the gentleman, taking up a pen, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time….We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices.”

–Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Today, December 26th, is Boxing Day in much of the English-speaking world. The tradition of Boxing Day most likely emerged during the English Middle Ages, when alms were given to the needy and servants were given gifts and the day off by their employers in lieu of Christmas. It is not, historically (as a person-on-the-street on CBC Radio this morning blithely declared), “a capitalist holiday”–although it certainly seems to have become one in the past couple of decades in Canada.

After a day when so many of us have been so richly blessed, it really seems more appropriate to spend it sharing some of our good fortune with others who need it so badly. Most if not all of these charities will issue tax receipts (check for a Canadian tax receipt number), so make sure you make your donation before the 31st of December to make it count on your 2008 tax return.

Here is a small sampling of organisations and programs that have a particular emphasis on feeding and providing food security for disadvantaged people–both near at home or half a world away. Most of them have secure online donation facilities, which makes it as easy as shopping online–and a lot more satisfying.

• UNICEF (Buy 25 sachets of a therapeutic high-protein nutty spread that makes the difference between life and death for severely malnourished children, or high energy biscuits which provide immediate emergency nutrition for girls and boys, amongst other Gifts of Magic) $13-30-–other gifts $10 and up
• 10,000 Villages Gift of Seeds (Provide 10 families in needy areas with vegetable seeds and fruit seedlings) $25 (other Living Gifts also available)
  
• Heifer International (Buy animals that can provide food and livelihood for needy families) US$10 and up
• Red Cross Food Security Crisis Appeal (They are stepping up food security programs in 15 African countries) any amount greatly appreciated

Don’t forget closer to home, too:

• The Saskatoon Food Bank serves 12,000 visitors each month and its goal is to close its doors. When I phoned them before Christmas they said they needed ‘everything’. Its most wanted items list suggests canned beans, canned meat, canned soup, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, whole grain cereals, baby formula, and baby food are always highly welcomed. Food bank donation bins are available at most, if not all, grocery stores as well as the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market, so it is very easy to donate. You can also make a cash donation.
• The Saskatoon Friendship Inn serves 500 meals a day to Saskatoon men, women and children. They are grateful for both staple food and money donations (you can call to see if there is anything in particular that they need–for Christmas, for example, they were looking for turkeys, vegetables, coffee, and so on)
• CHEP–the Child Hunger Education Project–works with children, families, and communities to improve access to good food and promote food security. They run the (sadly, much-needed) children’s nutrition program, which provides breakfast, lunch, snacks, and supper to hungry kids in the city, as well as a wide range of other fabulous hands-on educational programs and community services.
• Station 20 West, with the help of the generous people of Saskatoon, is working towards breaking ground for the Good Food Junction–a locally owned grocery store cooperative–in May 2009. This grocery store will vastly improve access to good quality, affordable food for people living in Saskatoon’s core neighbourhoods, who have been without a proper grocery store within reasonable walking distance for a decade.

I wish you and your families a happy, safe, well-fed, and contented holiday season!

Photo by MikeMar

Join Ruth Eliason and her friends as they bring a little light to the Darkest Night of the Year, in support of Station 20 West. Celebrate the season with good music, good food and friends!

When: Sunday 21 December, 7:30-8:30pm

Where: Christ Church Anglican, 515 28th St W, Saskatoon (Google map)

Admission: by donation

For more information: Facebook event page, Station 20 West web site, phone 373-0292

Looking for a great deal on some great art? Come down and check out the used (pre-loved!) art sale this Saturday at Grace Westminster United Church from 11am-9pm. There will be over 300 pieces on sale, ranging in price from $5-$300, and a further 50 or so pieces will be up for silent auction. Make sure you come early for the best selection!

At 7pm, there will be a live auction of original works, which have been kindly donated by some of Saskatchewan’s leading artists, including John Bury, Paul Jacoby, Marie Lonneau, Greg Hardy, Clint Hunker, Marigold Crib, Jan Norris, Paul Denham, June Tinline, Jim Korpan, Leslie Potter, Alicia Popoff, Hugo Alvarado, Corrine McKay, and Lou Chrones.

All proceeds from the sale of the artwork will go towards building The Good Food Junction Grocery Store at Station 20 West. Bring the family, browse the art, enjoy refreshments (including homemade bannock) and stay for a visit with the other people helping to make Station 20 West a reality!

When: Saturday 6 December, 11am-9pm

Where: Grace Westminster Church, 505 10th St E, Saskatoon (Google map)

For more information: Facebook event page, Station 20 West web site

On Saturday, 15 November, EE Burritos and Friends of Station 20 West will host the first of several fundraisers for Station 20 West–a dinner followed by dancing to live Latin music! All proceeds will benefit Station 20 West (including a 50/50 draw).

Ticket price includes entry and your meal (drinks are extra). If you are a vegetarian, please let them know when you buy your ticket. Organisers expect this fun event to sell out quickly, so get your tickets soon!

When: Saturday 15 November, 6:30-10:30pm (dinner served at 7pm)

Where: EE Burritos (corner of 22nd St W and Avenue P) (Google map)

Cost: $25, children 6 and under free (available at QUINT (2nd floor, 230 Avenue R South), Turning the Tide bookstore (525 11th Street E) and EE Burritos)

For more information: Facebook event page