Second Harvest Funding Update

Recently the Right Relations team submitted our final report for the Second Harvest Food Rescue Emergency Funding. McDougall United Church received $15,000 towards short term, immediate relief of food insecurities. We had the opportunity to address a food shortage for Elders and their families at Stoney Nakoda Nation, whom our organization has ties. Rev. Tony Snow, Indigenous Minister for the Chinook Winds Region, brought this food security crisis to our attention. Volunteer Marilyn Bates played a significant role in managing the project and handled the bookkeeping.

Gloria Snow and her Indigenous delivery team provided 70 + hampers and gift cards for the Stoney Nakoda Nation and surrounding areas of Eden Valley (Longview), Bighorn (Nordegg) and Maskwasis (north of Red Deer), the areas of our two Indigenous churches: Stoney United Church and Samson United Church. Food was provided for Stoney Nakoda members who reside in Calgary and area. Our Indigenous delivery team stated that some households had no food when they arrived. The hampers, especially with the quality of fresh meat, vegetables, and dairy products were greatly appreciated. One Elder stated, "It was the best hamper we have received yet; it is food that we really can eat." 

Elders are often caretakers for other family members and grandchildren, and each hamper fed many people. During their deliveries, our Indigenous drivers saw directly how Elders were providing food for large extended families living in their homes. The Elders needed food and diapers for their grandchildren and for the wakes and ceremonies in the nation for lost loved ones. It has been a stressful time in the COVID pandemic, and the families really appreciated the food. 

A big thank you to Gloria Snow and Marilyn Bates for taking on this project, as well as the Indigenous delivery team. We would also like to recognize the McDougall volunteers who shopped for food and helped pack the hampers.

Thank you to McDougall United Church for the opportunity to address a food scarcity issue for the Stoney Nakoda people. This project couldn't have happened without support from the church.

Sincerely, 

Shauna Kennedy

Congregational Witness to Reconciliation

To learn more about Right Relations at McDougall, please visit their webpage.