As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us reflect on what we’re grateful for and how we can give back. In southeastern Manitoba, Gordon Janzen, the Manitoba Regional Rep for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFB), has a heartwarming story that ties these themes together.
In early 2024, Janzen joined a CFB learning tour to Nepal, alongside five other Manitobans interested in agriculture and food sustainability. Janzen has strong ties to the region; his parents spent three years in India and Nepal, where his father worked as a doctor and his mother as a nurse. Janzen himself spent time in both countries, but this tour opened his eyes to new aspects of food sustainability.
“It kind of widened my perspective on the world,” he explains. “Often when we get involved in our own work, and our families and all the things that we do, and we're involved in good and important things, but we don't always have the view of other people in need. And so, that learning tour was really helpful in changing and enlarging my perspective.”
This Thanksgiving, Janzen encourages us to pause and consider the opportunities we have to help others, both in our communities and around the world.
“When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of all the generosity of the people involved in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank community projects and growing projects,” he shares. “It's amazing to see the generosity of all the people.”
Janzen highlights that many Canadians make giving a regular part of their lives. He is impressed by those who recognize their potential to give, even if they don’t always meet people in need, like those in Nepal.
The crew discovered during the journey that Nepal's food sustainability issues are not emergency crises, but rather long-term ones. They went to communities where, during the five-month dry season, families are forced to ration food. The crew saw a number of initiatives, such as water catchment systems, maternal and child feeding programs, irrigation projects, and seasonal migration measures.
Janzen notes that many people in Nepal are aware of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and the support it provides.
“Seeing their appreciation and the smiles on the faces of so many of the women in those women groups that we met with, that's the image that I'm taking with me into Thanksgiving,” he reflects. “I just really remember the appreciation that we received from some of those women in those women groups.”
In gratitude for the support they receive, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank hosts Supporter Appreciation Dinners across Manitoba. These gatherings are not fundraisers but a way to say “thank you” to their many sponsors and supporters.
This year, two appreciation dinners are scheduled:
- November 19th at Bethel Mennonite Church in Winnipeg
- November 20th at McDiarmid Alliance Church in Brandon
“These are part of our own Thanksgiving theme,” Janzen explains. “It's a way for us to say thank you because we are so very thankful for the strong support from the people across Manitoba.”
As we gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, let us remember the importance of generosity and the impact we can have on others' lives. Janzen’s experiences in Nepal remind us that even small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect, helping those in need both near and far.
So, as we enjoy our Thanksgiving meals, let’s take a moment to appreciate not only what we have but also the chance to make a difference in the world.