Southman Gleaners only just recently got its operations up and running, but they’re already looking to expand.
They cut the ribbon on their facility in Reinfeld last week, welcoming hundreds to the site for tours, lunch, and a ribbon cutting.
The non-profit collects vegetables donated by local producers and dices and dehydrates them to make soup mixes that are distributed by Christian aid agencies such as Faith Mission and Samaritan’s Purse.
“What was once an idea has come to fruition. We’re in production,” board chair Abe Janzen said, stressing it was only made possible thanks to the hard work of the founding board members and the many in the community who saw value in the idea and stepped up to help make it a reality. “We have overcome a number of challenges; with the Lord’s help, we have been able to overcome.
“And also the generosity of fellow Christians in this area has been worth a lot to us,” Janzen added, pointing to the countless tradespeople and sponsors who helped get the facility ready to begin production. “Your participation was greatly appreciated.
He gave thanks as well to the area producers who have agreed to give them their culled vegetables (produce that, though still perfectly edible, may not meet certain grade requirements simply because they’re too big, too small, or have minor blemishes), and also to the many volunteers who come out each week to do the work.
“Without you volunteers, this ship is dead in the water.”
A single small bag of dehydrated veggies can feed 100 people. Southman Gleaners is able to turn out a couple hundred of those bags every single day.
“We started production about two months ago, and so far we’ve produced enough product to feed half a million people,” shared George Wieler, one of the group’s founders. “We process about 800 pounds of dried product—which feeds 25,000 people—a day. If you do that in a year, it’s about five million servings a year.
“One thing that we’re up against right now is we’re too small,” Wieler continued. “We’re looking at buying a piece of property to the south of us. We’re looking at expanding because we’re running out of room; we need a cooler, we need more storage, and we need a lunchroom. So far we’ve crammed everything into the footprint we have right now.”
Wieler shared that the organization’s operating expenses are between $250,000 to $300,000 annually.
“We can’t do it on our own, so we’re asking for your support, your help,” he told the assembled crowd of supporters. “Without you, we can’t do it.”
Those sentiments were echoed by the various dignitaries from across the region who brought greetings at the ceremony, including RM of Stanley Deputy Reeve Peter Froese.
“It is great to see that the excess and non-processed vegetables in our area are being utilized to help feed many hungry people abroad through Christian organizations,” he said, lauding the volunteers for getting involved in this lofty mission. “Yes, it’s overwhelming to see this big issue of feeding the hungry in the world. But if we don’t start somewhere, nothing gets done, so I wish you continued God’s blessing with that.”
If you’d like to help Southman Gleaners in its work—donating funds or vegetables or getting involved as a volunteer—call 204-542-8988, email admin@southmangleaners.ca or head to their website (southmangleaners.ca) to learn more.
Photos by Ashleigh Viveiros/Voice
