Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Southpoint Sun - 5
Greenhouse sector focusing on what matters most: OGVG Editor’s Note: The following release is from the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers General Manager, Joe Sbrocchi, who penned this letter to the community recently. The well-being of our employees, our communities and safe food for consumers are paramount If most of us were asked “how we’re doing,” we’d respond along the lines, “I’m okay, but I’ve been better.” The fact is, as we approach the oneyear mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, many in our local communities are struggling. What is hard to accept is that while there is a glimmer of hope ahead, it will be months before our lives and our work returns to normal. The last yard is always the longest one. I know that like everyone else, the men, women, and families in our greenhouse sector across Ontario and within our communities, are tired and frustrated too. I see it in their faces and hear it in their voices every day. Through the frustration, fatigue, and endless questions and uncertainties, there is one thing that continues to amaze me that I want you, our fellow community members to know – our greenhouse sector has never been more committed to the work we do, the food we grow and the people who help us grow it. We have never been more dedicated to doing whatever is necessary to protect the well-being of our workers and families and to protect you, our friends, neighbours, and fellow community members. And we remain relentless in our commitment to assure the safety
and security of our food supply. Without a doubt, there have been and will continue to be challenges that require urgent responses and our collective patience and diligence in finding solutions.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 DONATE BLOOD - Leamington Blood Donor Clinic - at the Leamingotn Lebanese Club, 447 Hwy. 77 Leamington. 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. Book ahead. Book now. Visit: blood.ca or call 1-888-236-6283.
Church, Food Cupboard at St. John’s Anglican church, The Bridge (ages 14-24), Food Pantry at Parkdale Variety, neighbourhood pantry at Erie South and Marlborough and the Angel Pantry at St. John’s Anglican Church. All are free. All are welcome.
ONGOING MIRACLE MOBILE MARKET - Free fresh produce boxes available in Wheatley every Tuesday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at Wheatley Baptist Church, 47 Talbot Road E. You can pick up a box and have option of paying it forward by donating and helping someone else.
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE’S DRINKING? Al-Anon Family Groups meeting information: 519-790-7739 or www.alanonwindsoressex.com
“We remain relentless in our commitment to assure the safety and security of our food supply.” — Joe Sbrocchi Nevertheless, our greenhouse sector takes the responsibility to our workers, our communities, the Canadian food system and businesses as a serious and sacred obligation. It is a responsibility we will not shy away from and one we commit to continue to deliver on, despite the challenges that confront us. In a time of incredible stresses, the pandemic has proven that by working together – political leaders, public health experts, social agencies, worker groups, and greenhouse growers – we can find solutions to today’s problems and future challenges. We are committed to helping make progress with an open mind and good heart and by listening, learning and by collaborating with stakeholders and playing a meaningful part in the con-
Community Calendar
ERIE SHORES TOASTMASTERS Meeting online at 6:00 p.m. every other Wednesday. Next meetings are February 3 and 17th. Develop your Communication and Leadership Skills in a positive, friendly environment. Visit a meeting and see how you like it! For more info Email: ErieShoresTM@yahoo.com Facebook: Erie Shores Toastmasters or go to ErieShores. toastmastersclubs.org and click on Contact Us. COMMUNITY TAKEOUT IS AVAILABLE at Leamington United Church, 4:00 - 5:00 pm every Monday. St. John’s Anglican Church also has takeout meals available every Wednesday from 4-5pm. Food and clothing are available from St. Vincent De Paul at St. Michael’s Parish, Salvation Army Food Bank, The warming Cross at St. Paul’s Lutheran
versation. For example, we’re actively working with the provincial government, municipal governments, and agencies across the region as well as the federal government, to continue to enact the Provincial Prevention and Control Strategy announced last November. This strategy developed jointly with industry and government partners in health, agriculture, labour and emergency management, was developed to prevent and control COVID-19 on farms and greenhouses, as well as respond rapidly to individual situations as they arise. Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers were pivotal industry leaders in developing this strategy because we recognized it was critical to learn the lessons from our challenges that first arose last year and ensure everyone is better prepared for future challenges. We have also been working with a collaboration of regional leaders in the Windsor-Essex Local Integration Partnership, known as WE LIP, to ensure foreign workers, who come to our com-
munity to help grow our food, have access to support services that ensure their well-being. Our greenhouse growers made significant investments to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) to support the health and well-being of our employees both on-farm and in the rural communities they live in. These efforts are a sample of the actions we’re taking to help our community, workforce and our greenhouse sector get through this pandemic. As a people-oriented organization, we take enormous pride in being part of the communities in which we serve. Be assured our focus is on what matters most – the well-being of our employees, our communities and safe food for you, our consumers. And we will not stop until we all get to the other side of this pandemic – because we are all in this together. Joe Sbrocchi, General Manager, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers DEL AVAILIVERY ABLE
TUESDAYS WEDNESDAYS THURSDAY MONDAYS BURGER RAY 1/2 Rack of RIBS WINGS 3 PC CHICKEN $ 00 $1200 $ 00 DINNER 8 8 ONLINE ORDERS at raysribhouse.com $ 00 TAKE OUT ONLY 519-322-5940
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IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, THAT’S YOUR BUSINESS If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous: 519-999-1234. RANDY ATKINSON FUND provides money for extras that OHIP doesn’t 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. PLAY ROTARY TV BINGO GAMES - Tuesday nights, live on TVCOGECO from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Can only be viewed in Chatham-Kent viewing areas. 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.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR IS NOW BACK IN THE SOUTHPOINT SUN 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.
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sico.ca *Applies to Sico Muse 991,992,993 series, and Sico Evolution 861-5XX,863,866,867 (excluding Evolution Ceiling) series 3.78 L size only. Offer valid from February 3 to February 17, 2021, while quantities last. Sico, Muse and Sico Evolution are registered trademarks of the PPG Group of Companies. © 2021 PPG Industries, Inc. All rights reserved.
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