A truckload of free potatoes drew dozens of residents to the parking lot at Canad Inns on Monday, as community partners worked together to make sure good food doesn’t go to waste.
Jeanna Emms, an employment training consultant with the Portage Friendship Centre, says it all came together in just a few days.
“Well, we got a call from Second Harvest on Wednesday and they asked if we would be able to take some potatoes for free for a giveaway,” says Emms. “I reached out to PCRC, one of our partnering agencies."
Emms adds that the Portage Community Revitalization Corporation quickly stepped in to help get things moving.
“They took that on and were able to arrange the forklift and the place to do it,” she continues.
Volunteers with PCRC and All Nations Tribal Days were on site Monday, helping carry vegetables to cars and prepare bags for elders.
The potatoes came from Second Harvest, a national food rescue organization that helps divert surplus food from landfill to people who can use it.
Emms confirms the truckload contained mostly potatoes, but there were also a few pallets of broccoli, which were snapped up quickly.
All hands on deck for community support
While this is the first time Second Harvest has connected directly with Emms and her team for a giveaway, she says it hopefully won’t be the last.
“I know that there has been like giveaways before. This was the first time I think that they contacted us in regards to that,” she notes. “PCRC is always there to give us a hand, and I knew that we could get this done if we just partnered up.”
As cars continued to pull up and neighbours loaded up on produce, Emms says these moments reflect what community care is all about.
“Traditionally, one of our big things is giveaway and being able to provide for all of our community members,” she adds. “It's great to see, we have all nations here today."
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