The Canadian Foodgrains Bank saw 2023 as a celebration year as they reached their 40th milestone, having grown to supporting food security projects in over 30 countries around the world. Close to 2/3 of these are humanitarian and emergency relief.
"The Canadian Foodgrains Bank started in 1983," shares Manitoba Regional Rep Gordon Janzen. "So, here we are 40 years later!"
Celebrations took place through a variety of smaller ways, as well as with a more formal event with an open supper in Winnipeg in June with the CFB Executive Director, Andy Harrington, and representatives from their 15 member agencies, as well as supporters from across Manitoba, all joining in on the celebration meal. "That was a very good celebration!"
"It's amazing that there continues to be strong support," notes Janzen. "I was reflecting at that time about my earliest connections with the Foodgrains Bank with some reporting on projects in India in the mid-1980's. But what I really learned now is about the faithfulness and great support from supporters in Manitoba. And that's a real encouragement."
Across Manitoba, there were 38 CFB growing projects in 2023, as well as Singing in the Grain, a community fundraiser, and also a community/church auction.
"So, we're up and around 40 community groups that were supporting the Foodgrains Bank this year, and of all different kinds," he explains. "Some are big, and some are smaller, but it's amazing to see the support of the communities for our food programs."
Janzen notes their 2023 growing projects netted a fairly good crop within the relatively dry growing season, which was a nice surprise as many were expecting a disastrous harvest.
In the past the CFB has received about 60% of their annual donations in December, and by the middle of this December they had received approximately $14.5 million in donations across Canada. "So, we're pleased with that and hoping to finish the year strong."
"In addition to that, we have a long-term food security grant that comes from the Canadian government," adds Janzen. "It has been pretty standard at $25 million each year. But in addition to that the Foodgrains Bank has had additional grants in our food security programming."
Something to watch for in the new year is a new program, Nature Plus, a program supported by the federal government with a $35 million grant over 3 years.
"We will be looking for more contributions from Canadians, and this is for restoring degraded landscapes in 4 countries in east Africa to help food security in those regions," shares Janzen. "Probably the biggest atrocity we saw in 2023 was the October attack in southern Israel by Hamas, and the resulting war. The CFB received an appeal from Gaza."
There are two member-agencies that are ready to use the support that has come already but it hasn't been safe enough to use those funds just yet, says Janzen.
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