Hunger in Moose Jaw celebrates 25 years and thanks community for tremendous support
Hunger in Moose Jaw celebrated its 25th anniversary, thanking the community for its unrelenting support over the years. The organization hosted a ‘Come and Go Tea’ on Friday, November 23. Community members, organizations, past and present volunteers and staff came out to celebrate with Hunger in Moose Jaw. Moose Jaw North’s MLA Warren Michelson was also in attendance. During the celebration, individuals reflected on the impact the organization has had on the community through its many programs. Hunger in Moose Jaw continues to make an impact on the community where approximately 300 students in schools across the city benefit from lunches daily. The organization’s mission is to support children and their families through education and nutritional programming that nurtures their potential. Hunger in Moose Jaw’s programs include: Child Nutrition, Headstart Preschool, The Good Food Box, Community Gardens. Community Kitchens and Junior Chef.
Executive Director of Hunger in Moose Jaw, Sharla Sept says these programs would not have been possible without the overwhelming support of the community and staff. “Hunger in Moose Jaw started off with the delivery of lunches and subsequently moving into several other programs that we have. It is great to see how the community has embraced and supported Hunger in Moose Jaw over the years through thick and thin. Being here for 25 years also shows how great the staff is and how they’ve kept everything going. It’s an honor to be part of an organization like this.”
She says the ‘Come and Go Tea’ was a way to include the community in their milestone 25 years celebration and commended organizations and individuals who have made a difference with their support. “We don’t exist unless we have community support. The number of people who have showed up to celebrate with us is a testament to that. This organization belongs to the community. I want to thank all of the community organizations that we’re partnered with, businesses and individuals who make a difference by volunteering, donating and all they do to help,”
Sept also thanked the staff at Hunger in Moose Jaw for their hard work and dedication to the organization. “We also have an amazing staff who are the key to these programs and the best staff I can work with. There are nine (9) staff members currently. One of our staff members is also celebrating 20 years with us.” For its 25th year, Hunger in Moose Jaw renovated its Headstart Preschool program that was in need of upgrades. “This year, we were able to renovate the Pre-school. It has been in need of a makeover for a long time. It had been almost 20 years since it was established, and we got to do some renovations; painting, new carpeting and other things to make it brand new for the kids.”
Sept also talked about other programs that she says continue to expand. “We’ve also been able to expand our Community Program’s Kitchen a little more. We have two Community Kitchens coordinators instead of just one. Also, our Good Food Box program keeps expanding so that’s fantastic. The Community Gardens was full again this year with about 140 spots filled and our Pre-school continues to be filled every year and has a wait-list.” Karen Langton, who has been working at Hunger in Moose Jaw for 20 years as a pre-school teacher says it has been a great experience working with the organization and to see how it has evolved over 20 years. “I absolutely love it here. Some days, I can’t believe I get paid to do this because this is a passion of mine. It has been awesome. Children are our greatest investment and everything we put into them will make our future better. They are worth everything we get to do for them,” Langton said. “I just want to express a big ‘thank you’ to the community for its support. We have so many organizations and individuals who come out to help us all the time and we appreciate them.”
Hunger in Moose Jaw is a non-profit, community based, charitable organization that has served the community of Moose Jaw since 1993. The organization was created as a direct result of a community initiative. In the fall of 1992, a series of town hall meetings were held to address issues of hunger and poverty and how they affect specific individuals, as well as the wellness of the entire community. A broad cross-section of this community is still represented on their Board of Directors. Hunger in Moose Jaw is entrusted with resources from governments, foundations and roughly 30 other businesses and organizations in the community.