Twenty or so organizations met up to talk food security
On March 16, the SDCF hosted a Food Security Summit and about 20 different organizations were represented at the world-café style meeting.
Facilitator Pam Grahame put attendees into four groups and gave discussion topics with the end goal of each group coming up with three things that could help all groups work together to improve food security.
Many of the people in the room shared their history helping to address food security in our region and others brought their perspectives from working in different areas of our community.
David Thorne’s experience is an example of why those working to improve food security issues in the region need to join forces, and it involves himself quite eagerly showing up at the Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen with a big grin and an enormous offering.
“I showed up at the soup kitchen several years back, it was the first time I met Barb (Pasaur), and I had 700 pounds of cucumbers with me that we’d grown in the Rotary garden,” Thorne recalled.
“And her response was, ‘What do you think I’m gonna do with all that’!”
That may be the moment Thorne, a Director with the Selkirk & District Community Foundation as well as a Selkirk Rotary member, started the wheels turning on how the various organizations that work to make sure everyone is fed could work together.
The result, this food summit, blew everyone away with the large turnout, which included about 20 different local agencies, including churches, senior centres, and more.
“It was a really good meeting last night, in fact, I think we’re on to something big,” he said.
“My single biggest takeaway of the night was the energy. There was an immense amount of energy, everybody was pumped, you could just feel the vibe in the room, and that’s what I liked about last night the most.”
Lesli Malagus, Selkirk Food Bank Treasurer, attended, saying that it was a great first run through with a lot of new participants.
“I think the next one should have more, but a lot of great ideas came out of this that I think are going to really benefit the community.”
Barb Pasaur, Chair of the Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, was impressed by the meeting as well.
“It was fabulous, the meeting went very well. There was lots of good ideas, we had a good group, and it sounded like they were all good groups,” Pasaur said.
“I’m one of those territorial people about our organization, so it’s difficult for me, but I think I can see opening up. I think you have to, in this day and age, if you’re going to take care of the people, then we have to open up.”
Deborah Vitt, SDCF Chair, said the groups were engaged and came up with great suggestions.
“When I was walking around, there was a buzz, and as people got to know each other a little better, the energy pumped up, and there were things happening, and it was really great,” Vitt said.
“It’s exactly what we had hoped would happen out of the research that we did that went into Vital Signs.”
One of the ‘three things we can do to make a difference’ from Vital Signs 2025 was to host a food summit.
Vitt said the night also demonstrated the power of participating.
“People got up out of their nice warm homes, they came out, they participated, and that is just an incredible gift, and I want to thank everyone who was there.”
Plans are already underway for another summit with hopes that even more organizations participate in the future.
