Making one million meals

Photo: Contributed

The North Okanagan Valley Gleaners are making one million meals for Guatamala.

When the call for help came in, the North Okanagan Valley Gleaners were quick to respond.

In an average month, the Gleaners make 500,000 meals in their Lavington facility. After part of Guatemala was hit by an erupting volcano, the group of volunteers stepped in to make an additional one million meals.

The Gleaners process and dry vegetables that are packaged and sent around the world where they provide meals in some of the poorest regions on the planet.

Brad Egerton, with the Gleaners, said they are in need of more produce and more volunteers to produce the one million meals by June 26 when a shipping container will be loaded with 10,000 bags of dried vegetables and shipped to Guatemala.

“We are short on vegetables, but we are getting what we can,” said Egerton. “We need more soup.”

Egerton said they are calling out to area farmers who might be able to donate.

The Gleaners are also receiving requests for supplies like toiletries, hygiene products and other basic needs. These items can be dropped off at the Gleaner's thrift store at 4405 29th Street.

The local Gleaners are working with Seeds to Harvest Ministries, which is based close to where they volcano erupted earlier this month.

Anyone wanting to volunteer or donate food items can call 250-558-5872, or stop by the Lavington plant at 973 Whitevale Rd. from 8 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday.