Our hearts break when we hear of devastating earthquakes and see images of distraught families sleeping outdoors in makeshift shelters after having lost their home and possessions. We can't imagine what that would be like if it were our own family. But we're grateful that when our hearts are breaking, we have something we can do to make a difference. Recently, when an earthquake hit in South America, FV Gleaners rushed into action and contacted one of our distribution partners to find out if our food aid could help. "Oh yes, yes, there is so much need. Thank you!" was the reply. We're grateful for the volunteers who were eager to come out for extra shifts, packaging our dried product into bags and boxes for shipping. This is why FV Gleaners exists — to provide humanitarian aid, and in doing so, to love others as we would want to be loved.

No parent should have to choose one necessity over another for their family, yet that is a decision many around the world have to face every day. These are parents doing everything they can, yet still unable to provide life's basic necessities.

Chernet, an eight-year-old boy in Ethiopia, lives with his mother in a small rented house after his father left the family. With her limited income, Chernet’s mother must cover rent, water, electricity, school expenses, transportation, clothes, and shoes — leaving little for food. Even cooking comes at a cost: though their home has electricity, she can't afford to use appliances, so she buys charcoal instead. Most days, she and Chernet survive on simple meals that often lack nutrition. Through FVG's nutritious food aid, distributed by local partners on the ground, the burden on Chernet and his mother is eased for a while.

If you've never been to Fraser Valley Gleaners, now is the time!

Choose between a trimming night on Friday, Sept. 18th at 7pm or a packing night on September 19th at 7pm. Admission is free but space is limited.

We're excited to share how our 25th Anniversary Celebration went — and there's no one better to tell it than Merv, one of our longtime volunteers. He's volunteered about once a week since 2009, a commitment he started with his late wife Myrl, and has never stopped. He's one of hundreds of volunteers who've helped send over 281 million food aid servings to 84 countries. That kind of impact takes donors who share their conviction — would you consider a gift today to help fuel the next 281 million? Below, Merv shares his thoughts from our 25th Anniversary Celebration.

As youngsters begin their conversational skills, much begins “with why” or “why not”. All of us, even as adults, are looking for answers. A week ago a “why" occurred to me as I turned to drive the short Winson Road to the 25th celebration of The Fraser Valley Gleaners. It is tucked away on the U.S. border out of sight from other thriving businesses of Abbotsford. Most local people have hardly heard about it and likely wouldn’t be able to find it. As I neared the ten acre plot, a smiling lady under cloudy sky pointed in the direction I needed to go. Another happy volunteer a short distance down the road pointed to the parking area where freshly marked parking lines assisted the visitors. Why?

As I walked through the neat and thoughtfully organized displays, friendly volunteers were ready to assist in explaining each process. Since the time when Myrl and I came as volunteers in 2009, I now am amazed at the many improvements made to prepare donated vegetables over the years. I still enjoy helping there about once a week. To date more than 281,000,000 servings of soup have been sent to 84 countries of the world!

Next to these displays was a refreshment centre where coffee, sweets and ice cream were offered and served. It was a festive event as visitors and volunteers celebrated, reminisced and renewed old acquaintances. Again it occurred to me why so many came regularly with grateful hearts to serve. When I spilled some coffee it was immediately wiped up, even before I could ask for a napkin. In the process someone tied my loose shoelace. With coffee and ice cream in my hands, a friend jumped to his feet and seated me comfortably on the bench. Why all this eagerness to help?

I asked Malinda, the Executive Director, if I could quote what she wrote in her last Prayer email: “We know the Lord loves to hear our prayers and wants us to seek Him in everything we do. Thank you for being a part of that for FVG! Thank you for your prayers for our 25th Anniversary Celebration: What a wonderful time we had with over 350 guests, 23 distribution partners, history, distribution, and production displays, live music, and ice cream! 25 years of Food Recovery, 25 Years of Food Aid Production, 25 Years of Partnership with like-minded Christian organizations distributing our food aid in Jesus’ name! “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name be the glory!”

The answer is that we live in a community of generous Christians who unselfishly volunteer to serve. FVG is not merely a humanitarian organisation feeding millions of hungry people, but is also an expression of love for God and His creation.

by Mervin Driedger

Age 95

We have some wonderful donors of product but we receive more food aid requests than we can fill. If you, or a farmer you know is interested in donating to us, or covering freight costs, please call or email our office. Gift-in-kind donation receipts available.

Come chop vegetables & feed hungry kids around the world!  8:30am-noon

Groups of 5 or more, please book ahead.  Individuals are welcome to come without booking on any day of the week.

We will be closed stat long weekends and Saturdays during the month of December. 

On February 24th, Abbotsford City Council voted unanimously in support of our expansion application. Our file is now in the hands of the Agricultural Land Commission. Please pray with us for the final stage of approval.

We are so very thankful for those who are praying for the ministry here at Fraser Valley Gleaners. Thank you, prayer partners! 

If you would like to sign up for monthly email prayer updates for our ministry, please email the office info@fvgleaners.org or click on the button below

Fraser Valley Gleaners is 100% donor driven.  Your donation dollars help us feed some of the world's hungry by converting reclaimed food into nutritious shelf stable food aid that can be shipped around the world to those in need. Charitable donation receipts will be issued in February for the previous year.  Thank you for your continued support!

WAYS TO DONATE:

E-transfer - to info@fvgleaners.org  Please include your name and email or mailing address in the note section so we can send you a donation receipt at the end of the year

Credit card - (online on our website, over the phone or in person)

Debit - (in person)

Cheque - (mail or in person)

Monthly auto-withdrawal - (call or email the office for info.)

Cash, cheque, e-transfer & EFT do not cost FVG any fees.

Donation Receipts for income tax purposes are issued in February for the previous year.

85 Winson Road, Abbotsford, B.C. V2S 8E8

Phone: 604-870-9272 Toll Free: 1-866-772-7070 (Canada and USA)

Email: info@fvgleaners.org

Website: www.fvgleaners.org