With Thanksgiving left overs still in the fridge, now seemed like a good time to focus on the annual Singin’ in the Grain fundraisers for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFB). Later in October, concerts in Winnipeg and Winkler will help raise money to support the work of the CFB, as it addresses food insecurity through projects around the world.
The 2024 concerts, on October 26th in Winkler and 27th in Winnipeg, will feature two male voice choirs; the Eastman Male Choir, and the Faith and Life Male Choir. These two ensembles are comprised of singers from across southern Manitoba
"I've seen a draft of the program, and I'm going to use the word cautiously and hope I'm not offending the choir conductors, but somewhat traditional hymn songs, but with some new arrangements." shared organizer Pearl Braun Dyck. "I think it looks like it'll be a fantastic concert from the selection of songs that I'm seeing that the conductors have worked together on. Each choir will sing a selection of songs on their own, and then of course the concerts always end with the mass choir, with both choirs coming together, and that is always such an incredible experience to see all these voices coming together to end the concert this way."
The Faith and Life Male Choir is now under the direction of Paul Dueck after Ben Pauls recent retirement from the musical group. Shannon Sawatzky is the director of the East Male Choir.
There is no admission for either concert, but attendees are encouraged to make a donation to support the work of the CFB. Dyck notes the amount raised between the two fundraisers varies, but has typically landed between $20,000 and $30,000. The focus this year will be on the CFB's food security work in areas of conflict.
"It doesn't take much for any of us to make our hearts break in many ways when we see the horrific things happening in the world, and especially in countries where there is so much strife and people can't access food," reflected Dyck. "That is where our monies will go. Hopefully we are able to get money, so they can purchase the products there. We do not send product there directly anymore. That was done years ago, but that has been eliminated, and so hopefully with the funds raised we are able to help many people with getting the food they need, or being able to access supplies they can grow. on their own."
The concerts are happening Saturday, October 26th at 7pm at Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler, and Sunday, October 27th at 3 pm at Douglas Mennonite Church in Winnipeg.
"I was very conscious of it this morning when I sat down and had my breakfast, and I thought I opened my cupboard and I didn't wish there was something here that I could have for my meal, this morning, there was plenty there," explained Dyck. "And I said to myself, 'There are many people in this world today who do not have, and they may hopefully get one meal if they are lucky and where will they have to go for that?'"
Can singing help to feed hungry people? The group that organizes Singin' in the Grain firmly believes it can.
"I always feel every single one of us needs to eat," she said. "It doesn't matter who we are or where we live, that is so terribly, terribly important and so my heart always says, 'How can you not support and organization. And I need to clarify that we're saying, I realize there are so many organizations also doing this and have other needs, but obviously I feel very strongly that the Canadian Foodgrains Bank works so well at making sure we are helping people who so desperately need food."
You can listen to CFAM Radio 950 Morning Show Host Chris Sumner's conversation with Pearl Braun Dyck, below.