Hunger Awareness Week runs from May 6^th – 10^th this year. The CFC has organized several events throughout the week to inform community members young and old about the real culprit behind hunger; poverty.

The Table is kicking off the week with a challenge put out to several high-profile community members; to live for 5 days on a hamper from the Good Food Bank. On May 6^th   challenge takers will meet at the Good Food Bank to collect a 3- 5 day supply of food.  The rules are easy; challenge takers can make use of any of the free community meals available in and around town and can use up to 5 staples from their pantry (flour, cooking oil, sugar etc.). They may NOT accept free meals from friends and family or eat anywhere where they are required to pay for their food or drink. If they follow the rules can they make the hamper stretch for a full five days? To hear more about the challenge, listen in on Lake 88.1 on Tuesday May 7^th at 5:30 PM and on Monday May 13^th at 4:30 PM.

Also happening on Monday May 6^th, the Table CFC is pleased to host a visit with Senator Hugh Segal. Listen in on Lake 88.1 at 4:30 PM as the Senator discusses his visit to Perth and then join us at the Table for a community meal with the Senator. After dinner it is on to the P.D.C.I auditorium at 13 Victoria St. where Mr. Segal will discuss poverty and income disparity in Canada from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM, doors open at 6:30 PM. This event is free and open to all community members.

On Thursday May 9^th the Table is running a school event with over 100 grade 5 students. Students from St. John’s Elementary, Queen Elizabeth, and the Stewart School will be meeting at the Crystal Palace for an eye-opening lunch and fun, educational, activities that will shed a light on poverty and hunger. Keep an eye out for the students as they leave the Crystal Palace at 1:30 bearing handmade signs promoting good food for all.

On Friday May 10^th the Table CFC is screening the movie “A Place at the Table”. From the makers of Food Inc. this brand new documentary explores the connection between hunger and poverty. This event is free and open to all everyone. Movie time is 7:30 PM.

Finally on Saturday May 11^th the Peer Advocates are hosting another FREE clothing giveaway from 10:00 – 12:00 at the Table, 190 Gore St. East. For more information on how you can donate please call 613-267-6428 ext. 29

We are currently hiring for two positions: A Community kitchen coordinator and an administrative assistant.

Community Kitchen Coordinator

• The position involves running cooking programs and the follwing skills and qualifications:
• Relevant post-secondary education plus minimum 3 years relevant experience
• Demonstrated capacity to work with people experiencing marginalization and poverty
• Commitment to creating a democratic, welcoming space that respects participants and to creating leadership opportunities for them
• Experience in program development/coordination
• Experience managing volunteers
• Ability to work in a team
• Strong communication and computer skills
• Excellent community building/community development skills
• Superior skills with healthy cooking and nutrition, particularly local foods
• The roll-up-your-sleeves, pragmatic, creative, flexible approach and sense of humor 3+ days per week.
• One year contract with possibility of renewal.

Administrative Assistant, reporting to the Executive Director

The job requires the successful candidate to:

• manage files; create and maintain mailing lists;
• manage correspondence; help with donations;
• control inventory, etc.

The position requires:

• High school diploma 2+ years office experience or equivalent
• Expertise in Word, Excel, Powerpoint and other office software
• Strong communication and organizational skills

Hours: 9:30 –12:00 four days/week. One year contract with possibility of renewal.

Interested in applying?

Please send your letter and resume by May 16, 2013 to Nancy Wildgoose, The Table Community Food Centre, 190 Gore Street E, Perth Ontario, K7H 1K3 or email nancy.thetable@gmail.com. Applications reviewed as received.

2013 is the UN’s International Year of Quinoa!

http://www.un.org/en/events/observances/years.shtml

Starting February 5, 2013, our fun After School Program begins again. For more information click here or call Coral Sproule… Continue Reading »

After a refreshing holiday break, the exciting Dads and Kids in the Kitchen program recommences at The Table Community Food Centre (formerly The Perth and District Food Bank)!

The program began in September 2012 and had a great group of Dads (or their Guardians) and their children right through to the Holiday break.

“He’s started asking for vegetables at dinner because of this program!”, one satisfied Dad exclaimed during the program.

Dads and Kids in the Kitchen is a free program offering basic cooking skills, a meal shared with friends and quality time with family.  There is a focus on healthy food choices, communication and friendship.

We invite all previous participants as well as the entire community of Dads (male Guardians, Grandpas also welcome) as well as their children (ages 8-14, male or female) to attend this fun night every Tuesday night starting January 8, 2013.  The program runs from 6pm until 8pm.  No cost.

One young participant said “This chili is so good, I’m going to take to school and sell it!”.

To attend, just show up on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 6pm at The Table Community Food Centre located at 190 Gore St. East, Perth (located between PJ’s and Farrell Hall).

Any questions can be answered by calling Mike at 613-200-0045 or Nancy at 613-267-6428 ext. 8.

The Table Community Food Centre sends a heartfelt thank you to all who contributed to the Build a Mountain of Food Campaign for Perth and district. A record -breaking 20,855 pounds of food and $7,033.88 was collected this year for our Good Food Bank program

Thank you to:

• the community members who donated food staples at the food drive depots, filling our shelves and warehouse,
• all of the local community business who pledged thousands of pounds of food in the New Year,
• the hearty volunteers who stood outside at the collection depots on that frosty November day, the tireless volunteers who sorted all of the donations, and those who donated time, vehicles and gas in order to collect the donations from the depots.

A special thank you to the sponsors of Build a Mountain of Food: Brad Kyle of Town and Country Chrysler, Lake 88.1, EMC Community Newspaper, TV COGECO, Sign Design, Jade Transport, Warehouse Storage and Lannin Funeral Home.

And lastly a HUGE thank you to Hugh Colton and his support team, Ed Chenard and Ed Roberts , who led this campaign so that no child or person would go hungry in our community.

The Table Community Food Centre offers food access through the food bank and community meals, cooking, gardening and advocacy programs. These programs aim to improve access to healthy food in a way that maintains dignity, builds community and challenges inequality. Candidates must share our deep commitment to progressive community development, food security and social justice.

Garden Program Coordinator (30+ hours/week)

Responsibilities

• Finish developing gardens at Last Duel Park • Design and deliver garden programs for both site • Design and deliver other programs such as Shovel and Spoon (hands-on gardening and cooking)• Carry out outreach to encourage participation programs • Manage volunteers and other resources • Develop partnerships • Develop and implement evaluation plans • Help with communications, grant writing and other corporate activities

Qualifications

• Relevant post-secondary degree i.e. social work, or equivalent experience • Minimum 3 years of experience in developing and delivering a community program • Knowledge of and experience with organic gardening • Knowledge and skill in healthy cooking and nutrition • Knowledge of and experience with food security issues and programs • Demonstrated capacity to work with people experiencing marginalization and poverty • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team • Demonstrated initiative and creativity • Strong communication skills • Expert computer skills • Use of private vehicle required. May be required to work Saturdays.

Please send your letter and resume by January 23, 2013 to Nancy Wildgoose, Executive Director, The Table Community Food Centre, 190 Gore Street E, Perth Ontario, K7H 1K3 or email nancy.wildgoose@gmail.com. No phone calls or faxes please.

Check out the link below to hear an interview with Sam and Wendy on In Focus at Lake 88 Continue Reading »

Our hours have changed for Fall and we also have some new programs.

Continue Reading »

http://lake88.ca/2012/08/30/in-focus-thursday-august-30th-2012/