Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Southpoint Sun - 7
Gleaners keep up production despite COVID challenges LEAMINGTON — The Southwestern Ontario Gleaners continue to see good production despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Year to date, the SWO Gleaners have donated 2.2 million servings of dehydrated vegetable mix to other charitable organizations locally, nationally and internationally. This is down slightly from last year’s numbers because of the COVID-19 pandemic. General Manager, Joel Epp says that COVID has affected this year’s numbers. “COVID-19 forced us to close for 12 weeks in the spring. It also has forced us to change our shifts,” he said. “We eliminated the Tuesday afternoon shift and made two shorter shifts in the morning instead of one each day to allow for less people in the building at one time.” The goal is to eventually change back to the normal shifts, but that will depend on the pandemic. Since re-opening in June, the SWO Gleaners have operated with new safety guidelines for their staff and volunteers. Volunteers are spread out over two shifts with maximum 15 persons per shift. Shifts are now 8 am - 10 am and 10 am - 12 noon. Social distancing and increased PPE have become the norm. Volunteers are required to wear masks and faceshields along with their normal gloves and hairnets. “The added PPE is the last defense in our safety protocol to stop the virus from spreading if it were to be in our building,” said Epp. “Social distancing, extra cleaning and eliminating break-time are the main safety measures that we had to implement. The health and
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safety of our staff and volunteers is our first priority.” There are some volunteers, because of age or health issues, that have not been able to return. Others, like church groups, students and other groups have had to postpone their visits indefinitely because of the pandemic. Operations have been at about 70% of what it was before the pandemic. The Gleaners are hopeful that with a few more volunteers and quality produce donations, production will only increase. Unfortunately more and more people have been relying on food banks and soup kitchens during this pandemic. Internationally, there
are many countries that were struggling even before the pandemic, and need the help of organizations like the SWO Gleaners. Now more than ever, the Southwestern Ontario Gleaners have an important role to play in giving people nutritious meals. This year, vegetable mix has been distributed by partnering organizations to Haiti, Nicaragua, Ukraine and various countries in Africa. Apple season is currently underway for the SWO Gleaners. Dried apple snacks are packed into the Windsor, Leamington and Kingsville Goodfellows Christmas hampers, as well as given to the food banks in the area for distribution.
ONE LAST CHILLY DIP LEAMINGTON — A windy last day of October made for perfect conditions on Lake Erie for a little wave riding. Pictured, a few kite surfers have launched into the chilly water wearing wet suits, ready for the wind to propel them on their boards across the waters off of Seacliff beach Saturday afternoon. Deanna Bertrand photo
Gleaners volunteers Michelle Stenger, Justina Quiring, Nadi Wall, Ben Wall and Mike Sexsmith inspecting carrots.
Leamington-Mersea
GOODFELLOWS
NOTE: LEAMINGTON & MERSEA RESIDENTS ONLY Due to Covid-19 Restrictions our application process this year will be BY TELEPHONE ONLY throughout the month of November.
Applications WILL NOT be accepted after November 30, 2020 PLEASE CALL 226-910-1855
(please leave a message, if necessary) Those applying will be asked for a voluntary statement of monthly income and expenses. Donations may be placed in the cash box at the Leamington Post Office, or mailed to: Leamington Goodfellows, Box 242, Leamington N8H 3W2 Official tax receipts will be issued.
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Community Calendar
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
MIRACLE MOBILE MARKET - Free fresh
6:30 pm - Join Essex Branch, Ontario Ancestors online to learn about DNA painter & using it in family history research. Visit essex.ogs.on.ca/meetings to preregister. Free & open to everyone.
produce boxes available in Wheatley every Tuesday from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at Wheatley Baptist Church. You can pick up a box and have option of paying it forward by donating and helping someone else.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONEʼS DRINKING? Al-Anon Family Groups meeting information: 519790-7739 or www.alanonwindsoressex.com
ERIE SHORES TOASTMASTERS is hav-
Christmas Hamper Applications
TOM GIGNAC
ing a SPECIAL ONLINE OPEN HOUSE. Everyone is welcome. Hear transformational speakers. Meet friendly members and have some fun! The Open House starts at 6:00 pm. For more meeting information including the link to this Zoom meeting Email: ErieShoresTM@yahoo.com Facebook: Erie Shores Toastmasters or visit our website ErieShores.toastmastersclubs. org and click on Contact Us. ONGOING PLAY ROTARY TV BINGO GAMES - Tuesday nights, live on TVCOGECO from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Support the community and purchase your cards from Adamson Guardian Drugs, Wheatley. Pick up your cards early! Play 5 different games on 3 faces in 1 hour. $3 for 15 ways to win and $2000 in prizes.
IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, THATʼS YOUR BUSINESS If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous: 519999-1234. RANDY ATKINSON FUND provides money for extras that OHIP doesnʼt pay for or to help with unexpected expenses for cancer patients (e.g. hospital parking etc). If you, your group or organization would like to have a speaker explain the fund and its availability in this area, call 519-682-2580. PREGNANCY & RESOURCE CENTRE, 33 Princess St. (Central 33) Suite 212, Leamington, offers free and confidential services provided by registered nurses and trained volunteers. Free pregnancy tests. Call 24/7 for free
and confidential support - 519-3260612. Business calls: 519-326-3821. KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE is open Tuesdays only for the time being. Programs and events may change wihtout notice. All programs are offered at NO COST! Kingsville Community Centre follows all COVID_19 guidelines issued by The Windsor Essex County Health Unit. You will be asked to wear a mask, sanitize your hands & observe social distancing of 2m while at the Centre. Call 226-7735830 for more information. Kingsville Community Centre Cafe - Tuesdays 9:00 am to noon. Advocacy Services & Community Resource Assistance Tuesdays 9:00 am to noon. Computer Kiosk - Tuesdays, 9:00 am to noon. Tai Chi - All Ages & Skill Levels - *This is the same wellness program that usually runs on Thursdays. It is being offered on Tuesdays, until further notice 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Device Advice - Tuesdays, 10:00 am to noon. Yarn Social Time - Tuesdays, 10:00 am to noon. Counselling Services with Diane OʼBrien - Tuesdays, 9:00 am to noon, by appointment. Individual Addictions Counselling Services with Dale Richardson by appointment; call or email the Community Centre.
To place your event in the Community Calendar... Phone: 519-398-9098 • Email: sun@southpointsun.ca • or drop off at 194 Talbot St. E. Unit 2, Leamington SUBMISSIONS NOT GUARANTEED.
