Haliburton County Food Banks Launch a Shared Website

History of the Minden Community Food Centre, March 2024

September 25 2014: The Board of the Minden Food Bank decided to change the name to the new name of Minden Community Food Centre. Although the purpose of the building has not changed; especially with regard to being a hub in Haliburton County for food distribution to other area food banks, the new name better reflects the geographical location of the building and reduces confusion with the food bank in Haliburton Village under the direction of the 4C's (Christian Community Concern Centre).

Minden Hills will soon have its own community garden. It would be located at the north end of the Minden Fairgrounds, near the bandshell and parallel to Bobcaygeon Rd.. The initiative is spearheaded by the Minden Community Food Centre, with the Minden Rotary Club in charge of bringing other partners on board. Lynda Litwin, Past President of the club, says the current plan is for a fenced area with at least 15 four-foot by 12-foot plots, with topsoil and water provided on-site. “I think the plan is going to allow for many more than that,” says Litwin. “The fenced-in area may be larger than the first initial requirement for [15] plots. If we get a call for 20, 30 plots, that’d be great and we’ll work collectively to make that happen.” Township council signed off on the idea last year, and Rotary held a public meeting in February to take questions and ideas from the community. Litwin says attendees were “very supportive” of the project, with several service clubs, organizations, and businesses signing on to help. The garden would charge a $20 yearly fee, and likely keep one plot reserved for the Food Centre. “There’d be an opportunity for fresh-grown produce to be harvested for the food bank, and community members are encouraged to help with the weeding and the planting and whatever to make that happen,” says Litwin. “Anybody that’s doing a plot that doesn’t need the produce for themselves is encouraged to donate their produce to the food bank.” According to Litwin, the tentative schedule is to start prepping the site in April, finish building the garden by May 19, and begin planting on June 1. In the meantime, she says the challenge is figuring out who can provide what. The list of needs includes wood, topsoil, fencing, posts, wood chips, signs, and garden hoses, as well as volunteers to put everything together. Those interested in helping or applying for a plot can contact the Minden Community Food Centre at 705-286-6838 or mindencommunityfoodcentre@gmail.com . “It’s just going to be another wonderful event happening in Minden Hills on an ongoing basis,” says Litwin. “You’ll have people gathering together in the spring to do their planting, maintenance through the summer, harvesting in the fall, a fall cleanup in the gardens. Just another opportunity for like-minded people who like gardening to get together.”

County residents are being challenged to hit the water a few weeks early this year to help fund operations at the Minden Community Food Centre. Executive director, Jean Munroe, said the organization is introducing a new fundraiser next month, encouraging community members to embrace the Jump in the Lake challenge. Taking place May 6, the event will see participants raise money for the food bank before plunging into the barely thawed depths of their chosen local lake. “We’re leaning on the success of another fundraiser started by Dean Michel and Jennifer Bacon in Coboconk several years ago to raise money for a new wellness centre in their community,” Munroe said, speaking to the inspiration. “It was a huge hit and helped raise more than $125,000… we’re really hoping it can be a success for us here in Minden.” Michel, a real estate agent with Century 21 in Minden, endorsed this new offshoot, saying it can be a tremendous way to bring the community together for a great cause. Demand at Minden’s food bank has spiked again through the first quarter of 2023. Munroe said she’s seen an average of 285 people a month come through the doors during the first three months of this year, up from 232 people a month in 2022. “We’re definitely seeing an upward trend. With the increased cost of housing, food, gas – many families in our community are struggling,” she said. “We’ve been very busy and we’re expecting that to continue.” Munroe said she’s hoping to bring in around $10,000 through Jump in the Lake. That money is sorely needed at a time that the food bank is seeing its food costs increase as much as 25 to 30 per cent for some of its staple products, such as milk, meats, and fruit. While the hub does receive monthly donations of things like vegetables and tinned items, Munroe said she buys around 60 per cent of the food that goes out the door. Amanda Federchuk is helping to lead this new initiative, after taking the plunge herself for the past three years. “At the beginning of the pandemic there were lots of fears about food insecurity and job security… I heard about the Jump in the Lake challenge [and decided] to do my own one-off version for Minden,” Federchuk said. “This was in 2020, but I loved it so much I’ve been doing it ever since.” In 2022 she raised $1,000 for the food centre. “It’s so much fun. Every year I’ve had neighbours come out to watch me jump and cheer me on… in the days leading up to the jump, you start to psych yourself out about how cold it’s going to be, but in the end it’s just five cold minutes one day a year for a great cause,” she said. “You warm up again in no time.” Munroe said she’ll be participating this year, as part of a team that will be plunging into Horseshoe Lake. By getting the word out early, she’s hoping to inspire as many people as possible to take part. part. “We need all the help we can get right now as we try to meet the growing needs of our community. We’re seeing more seniors, more young families depend on us for healthy, nutritious foods,” Munroe said. “This is a great way to give back and have some fun while doing it.” For more information visit mindenfoodbank.org .

Passing the torch Longtime community helpers Joanne Barnes and Kim Russell are retiring from the Minden Community Food Centre, welcoming Jean Munroe and Victoria Lawson into the positions of manager and assistant manager at the Newcastle Street organization. From left, Russell, Barnes, Munroe and Lawson met on March 7 in front of the food centre. Russell retired at the end of February and Barnes retires at the end of this month.

Plans are well underway for the establishment of a Community Garden at the Minden Fairgrounds this spring. Sponsored by the Minden Community Food Centre and supported by the Minden Rotary Club, it will provide a minimum of 20, four-feet by 12-feet raised beds for planting by individuals. Gary Stoner of the Food Centre said the project will provide fresh produce for food bank clients and the general public, many of whom do not have the physical space to create a garden on their own property, or who live in rented accommodation. Dave Woodcroft, president of the Rotary Club of Minden, said his club supports the initiative “as a tremendous benefit to the community.” He, along with Lynda Litwin, also of Rotary, are encouraging other service clubs in Minden to hop on board with their support. Litwin said, “many organizations have already indicated they are behind this most worthwhile project.” Applications for a spot in the garden are already being accepted by contacting the Minden Community Food Centre at 705-286-6838 or by email mindencommunityfoodcentre@gmail.com . “The organizing committee would like to see more involvement from the community and lists the following opportunities for volunteers to get involved: garden co-ordinator, provision and erection of perimeter fencing, garden hoses, construction of a small garden shed, site preparation and top soil, plot construction, providing and putting up signs and financial help. Further details will be provided at an upcoming meeting for anyone interested, Feb. 21 at the Dominion Hotel at 7 p.m.