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Are you curious about what we've been up to lately?
Read our Spring 2021 Newsletter >>> |
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A Peek into the Pantry | Spring 2021 Newsletter
Do you have a Green Thumb? Would you like to help us build our courtyard garden?
We are getting ready to re-open the Dalhousie Courtyard Garden, and recruiting volunteers for April-May setup and the growing season.
Last year, in a small, sunny unused courtyard at the Bronson Centre, we designed and installed raised cedar beds, added wheels, filled them with organic soil, seedlings and hope: Dalhousie Courtyard Garden was born.
To make the most of the space, we opted for Square Foot Gardening, a gardening method that divides the growing area into 1-foot sections to create a densely planted vegetable garden. According to the Square Foot Gardening Foundation this method is estimated to cost 50% less, use 20% less space, 10% of the water and only 2% of the work compared to single row planting. Additional benefits are – virtually no weeding, no digging, rototilling and no heavy tools are needed. It is the perfect answer for the older people we hoped and hope to attract to tend the garden and share their wisdom.
This chance to build a vegetable garden came about thanks to our landlord’s willingness to let us use outdoor space, and a share in an ESDC Horizons grant supported and administered by the Bronson RISE team. Covid-19 made it more difficult to execute but did not take our chance away.
The goal was to develop a gardening program inclusive of all ages and abilities with a particular focus on attracting seniors (55+). In addition, the project brought us a step closer towards our goal to move beyond an emergency food bank. The pandemic dashed our hopes to involve an army of volunteers, but with the help of a small number of helpers we managed to grow and harvest enough vegetables to share at least 58 baskets with our clients. Clean-up during April will kick off this year’s growing season. To increase our supply of garden-fresh vegetables for our clients, this year’s plan includes the preparation of another of Bronson’s hidden courtyards. This means there will be a wide variety of tasks to suit many interests and abilities, from mid-April through to end of season. If you have the time and energy to help us with our gardening program, please contact us by email at garden@dalhousiefoodcupboard.ca.
Food Basket Delivery project
We are very excited to announce that we officially started our Delivery Pilot Project earlier this year, thanks to a new partnership with Ottawa Cares (www.ottawacares.ca). Ottawa Cares is an amazing, volunteer-based organization that came together at the beginning of the pandemic to help food bank agencies deliver food to clients. Seniors, folks with mobility-challenges, and any other clients who face barriers in accessing the Food Cupboard are able to have their grocery boxes delivered straight to their door.
So far the program has been very successful, and we have received some great feedback. We were very pleased to receive this note from one of our clients: “As I have a limited income, I rely on the Dalhousie Food Cupboard almost every month but due to Arthritis of the hip it has been increasingly difficult to carry the generous amount of food home. The delivery service is the answer to my prayers!” - DFC Client
Fundraiser Spotlight: Virtual Wine Tasting with The Door Youth Centre and Cyranos Restaurant
This Valentine’s Day, DFC teamed up with The Door Youth Centre and Cyranos Restaurant to raise money for both our organizations through a unique virtual wine tasting experience. With over 60 tickets sold, participants were treated to lovely prepared meals from Cyranos they could enjoy right in their homes along with a trio of perfectly matched wines. Experienced sommelier Rob Beardall led participants through a guided tasting of all three wines and took lots of time to answer questions from those enjoying a nice glass and a fine meal across the city. We hope you can join us for our next virtual event!
Moo Shu Instagram Takeover
Over this past challenging year, we have learned that community support comes in many different ways. One recent example of this is the “Moo Shu X DFC Instagram Takeover” that the DFC recently did. We are so grateful that local ice cream and snack shop, Moo Shu, lent us their large Instagram following. From March 22nd-April 1st, we shared information about our mission, food insecurity in Ottawa, our Courtyard Garden, and much more. It really helped to amplify our voice and spread the word about the work we do.
You can check out our “Takeover” on Moo Shu’s Instagram profile (@mooshuicecream) saved in their highlights section under “Food Security”. You can also go enjoy some delicious ice cream and snacks at their store, located at 477 Bank St.
The Big Squeeze: New Grapefruit Products at the DFC - By James Witherspoon
“You can’t squeeze water from a stone” - a cliché almost everyone has heard before. One of the biggest things I have learned so far from the pandemic is that you can – with friends who are willing to help.
Last year the Dalhousie Food Cupboard made some amazing friends in the community who have been phenomenal partners in the effort to support those facing food security challenges and other symptoms of poverty within the community.
One of these amazing partnerships has been with Beyond the Pale Brewery. Thanks to their ongoing donation of grapefruits, and the success of the "Fuzz on Fire" hot sauce we made using those grapefruits, in partnership with Meow! That's Hot (learn more about these partnerships here), we are continuing on the grapefruit train!
We have since made friends with Potty Mouth Soaps, who are making an amazing Grapefruit soap named “Pink Fuzz and Suds” and Betty’s Pickles and Preserves, who just made us 48 jars of the best tasting grapefruit salsa you could ever hope for.
Proceeds from the sales of all these items are helping the Dalhousie Food Cupboard aid those facing food insecurity in our community and will be helping us provide new services in the future.
Follow us on social media - Instagram: @dalhousiefoodottawa and Facebook: Dalhousie Food Cupboard - to purchase these products. These partnerships really demonstrate you can squeeze a lot from a stone, or a grapefruit, when you work together with those around you.
We’re seeking new Board Members
DFC is seeking to expand the membership of its Board of Directors to better support the mission and operations of the Food Cupboard. Do you or someone you know have a passion for issues of food security, poverty and equity? Are you looking for opportunities to get more involved with the DFC and your community?
If you answered YES to any of these questions and can commit some of your time and skills to the DFC, we would love to hear from you! Please contact Lucas@dalhousiefoodcupboard.ca with the subject: DFC Board Candidate
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Read our Winter 2020-2021 Newsletter... Link to the right>>>>
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A Peek into the Pantry: Winter 2020 Newsletter
Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteers are a vital part of Dalhousie Food Cupboard’s operations (DFC), and during the Covid-19 Pandemic, they have adapted and confirmed their commitment to the community and our clients.
Larry (right) and Peter (left) are friends who volunteer regularly. Larry has been coming to help out at DFC for 4 years, Peter for 3.
When asked how DFC has changed in their time, they both said that it had grown considerably in terms of the number of clients served, and the different services offered at the centre.
They both agree that their favourite part of volunteering is meeting clients, and getting to know them. They have seen how many clients have had to rely on DFC, simply due to bad luck in their jobs or lives. They have witnessed how the food bank provides opportunity for important social interaction for clients and volunteers. Coming to the DFC, it is clear that there is a strong sense of community between staff, volunteers and clients.
Volunteer Help Wanted
Due to Covid-19, we have had to adapt our services and volunteer procedures. We are planning to offer delivery services next month to clients who face barriers coming to our food bank at Bronson Centre.
If you are interested in volunteering for this program, contact us at (613) 230-3982 or info@dalhousiefoodcupboard.ca
Cooking for a Cause Initiative
The Ottawa Community Food Partnership (OCFP) is a collaboration between nine core groups, who applied for, and received, an Ontario Trillium Grant for two years. Thankfully, this funding was extended until end of October 2020.
OCFP Partners: Bethany Hope Centre, Dalhousie Food Cupboard, Gloucester Emergency Food Centre, Parkdale Food Centre, Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre, Rideau- Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre, St Joe's, St Luke's Table, Somerset West Community Health Centre
During COVID-19, OCFP’s parent, Parkdale Food Centre, formed a partnership with 15 paid food businesses to produce 4,000 nutritious meals per week for 27 social agencies in town. They called it Cooking for a Cause. Meals are distributed through PCFP. Cooking for a Cause Ottawa continues to look for new funding sources that will allow it to serve even more meals. OCFP members hope to soon meet virtually to solidify its vision, and begin the process of bringing more organizations into the fold.
For more information, contact Erica Braunovan, OFCP Coordinator. Trillium Grant is administrated by Parkdale Food Centre
Local Business Turn Up the Heat to Fight Food Insecurity
The masters at Beyond the Pale Brewery and artisans at Meow That's Hot! paired up to create the hottest product in town. And the best part is that all proceeds will support local initiatives to fight food insecurity here at Dalhousie Food Cupboard.
Fuzz on Fire! is a hot sauce with a unique flavour, one derived from an ingredient seldom associated with hot sauce – grapefruit ! Earlier this year, we held a virtual beer-tasting event with Beyond the Pale Brewery, which led to them donating grapefruits left-over from producing one of its top selling beers, Pink Fuzz. There were so many grapefruit available, we knew we had to find a solution to make sure that all this fresh fruit could be used.
This is where Meow That's Hot! comes in. They started by juicing some of the leftover grapefruit. Next, they added strawberries, sweet potatoes, and naturally, jalapeno peppers to bring the heat. The result is a fresh, citrus-forward, versatile sauce that goes with everything from tacos, and wings to eggs and beyond!
We encourage people to purchase a bottle of this great sauce while supplies last.
Bottles can be purchased at Beyond the Pale and Meow That's Hot's retail locations or online (with some delivery options) at the links below:
Meow That's Hot: https://meow-thats-hot.myshopify.com/products/fuzz-on-fire-dalhousie-food-cupboard-fundraiser
Beyond the Pale: https://btpshop.ca/collections/christmas-gift-ideas/products/beyond-the-pale-dalhousie-fuzz-on-fire-hotsauce
Holiday Giving
For those facing food access barriers, the Holidays season can bring extra challenges. If you’re able to give this year, consider donating to Dalhousie Food Cupboard. We are busy buying holiday items & treats for our clients, and will need to restock the shelves & fridge with healthy food for our clients as soon as the New Year comes in.
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/dalhousie-food-action-group-inc/
On behalf of each & every one of us at Dalhousie Food Cupboard, have a safe and healthy holiday!
November 25, 2020
The amazing brew masters of Beyond the Pale Brewery have partnered with the legendary hot sauce wizards at Meow That’s Hot in support of our local food bank to create a delicious new chili sauce.
Fuzz on Fire uses juice from grapefruits zested for BTP’s Pink Fuzz wheat beer, combines it with jalapeño peppers, and hints of garlic and strawberry – yielding a perfect mixture of tart, sweet, and heat.
This sauce goes great with ribs, wings, tacos, and more – and the proceeds from each bottle will support our efforts to provide emergency food support in the community.
Join us on December 1st to celebrate the Fuzz on Fire release party. This free-to-view event will be broadcast from the Taproom and you can watch live through Dalhousie Food Facebook page.
On the menu for the Release showing: BTP SmoqueHouse Chicken Wings smothered in Meow! That's Hot - Fuzz on Fire sauce and Pink Funk and Dark Picante. Tune in to enjoy the mayhem.
Find this special product at:
https://meow-thats-hot.myshopify.com/
https://btpshop.ca/.../beyond-the-pale-dalhousie-fuzz-on...
Virtual Launch Event can be found here: https://fb.me/e/4QrEvcL8V
Our 2019-2020 Annual Report is now available.
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Click on the button below to read or download report.
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<This event has already taken place.>
2019-2020 Annual General Meeting
We’re hosting this event virtually this year.
When: October 25th at 7:00 pm
If you’d like to attend, send your
RSVP to chair@dalhousiefoodcupboard.ca
2019-2020 Annual General Meeting
We’re hosting this event virtually this year.
When: October 25th at 7:00 pm
If you’d like to attend, send your
RSVP to chair@dalhousiefoodcupboard.ca
COVID-19 Hours of Service
Wednesdays & Thursdays from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm
Access to our food bank has changed. We are now serving clients from outside the Bronson Centre's main entrance.
Check for updates on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/DalhousieFoodCupboard/
Wednesdays & Thursdays from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm
Access to our food bank has changed. We are now serving clients from outside the Bronson Centre's main entrance.
Check for updates on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/DalhousieFoodCupboard/
March 18, 2020
Operating a food bank in the COVID-19 world
We continue to monitor updates from Ottawa Public Health, and we are working closely with Ottawa Food Bank to keep our shelves stocked with food and other necessary emergency supplies. Along with most of our peers, we have switched from choice-based options to a "hamper-style" service, where volunteers and staff pre-pack bags with available foods for a quicker, simpler turnaround. In our case, we also re-located our order-filling zone from the back end of the Bronson Centre building to the front lobby off Bronson Avenue. This open space gives us the ability to offer both our servers and clients a buffer of "social distance".
Today was a good day, because we were able to meet the demand in our community. And yet it is an "early day" in how we will deal with our new reality. Staff and dedicated volunteers served over 150 bags of goods from the main lobby area in the Bronson Centre. We expect to be open again, at the same time (10:30 am), in the same place on Thursday, March 19th.
Groups such as ours cannot function without dedicated staff and committed volunteers. We thank everyone that came out today, and those that will pitch in tomorrow.
We'd like to thank management/staff at The Bronson Centre for accommodating this tenant's changing needs, and we'd be remiss to not show appreciation to the full team at Ottawa Food Bank.
Bye for now.
Stay tuned to Twitter & Facebook for "on the go" notes as we navigate this path.
Operating a food bank in the COVID-19 world
We continue to monitor updates from Ottawa Public Health, and we are working closely with Ottawa Food Bank to keep our shelves stocked with food and other necessary emergency supplies. Along with most of our peers, we have switched from choice-based options to a "hamper-style" service, where volunteers and staff pre-pack bags with available foods for a quicker, simpler turnaround. In our case, we also re-located our order-filling zone from the back end of the Bronson Centre building to the front lobby off Bronson Avenue. This open space gives us the ability to offer both our servers and clients a buffer of "social distance".
Today was a good day, because we were able to meet the demand in our community. And yet it is an "early day" in how we will deal with our new reality. Staff and dedicated volunteers served over 150 bags of goods from the main lobby area in the Bronson Centre. We expect to be open again, at the same time (10:30 am), in the same place on Thursday, March 19th.
Groups such as ours cannot function without dedicated staff and committed volunteers. We thank everyone that came out today, and those that will pitch in tomorrow.
We'd like to thank management/staff at The Bronson Centre for accommodating this tenant's changing needs, and we'd be remiss to not show appreciation to the full team at Ottawa Food Bank.
Bye for now.
Stay tuned to Twitter & Facebook for "on the go" notes as we navigate this path.
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