ROTATELLER

 

Submitted by Will Arscott

 

 

The meeting was held once again in the Main Dining Room at the Saskatoon Club.  The emcee for the meeting was to have been Steve Wilson but it appears that he and June got a chance to take a holiday on short notice, so the duties were capably handled by President Wendy.  The meeting began with members singing ‘O’ Canada. This writer is not sure who started it off, but it was in a key so high that the ears of every dog in downtown Saskatoon were raised.

 

Avis Hardy read a blessing prepared by Elaine Zakreski. The blessing covered the subject of resurrection. We were reminded that resurrection is not a one-time event but rather a way that we, as Rotarians, can choose to live our lives.

 

Our cashier for this meeting was Donna Gauthier who stood in on short notice when Wayne Palmer had to go out of town.  Mark Gryba handled technology.

 

 

Our only guest was guest speaker, Jasleen Kaur, who was introduced later in the program.

 

 

 Denise Palmer ‘s mother has suffered a heart attack and Denise and Wayne have traveled to Ontario to be with her.

 

 

There is a need for billets for four international students who are traveling through Saskatoon the long weekend of May 19. Accommodations are needed for Sunday night with a breakfast on Monday. If you can help, please contact Bob King.  Bob’s email is available through President Wendy.

 

Donna Gauthier still has grocery cards for Scobeys.   It would be good to get them off the club books prior to the end of the Rotary year. You can purchase them with a credit card at the meetings.

 

 

We welcomed Graham Pearson back to meetings in person. He pledged $100 happy dollars and was matched by Jack Brodsky who announced he was glad to see Graham in person. These two members contribute a very significant amount over the Rotary year and this is greatly appreciated.

 

 

Kent Smith-Windsor as the Executive Director of RAP spoke on plans for this event. The event is going ahead and will be held on Wednesday April 24. This year’s event has presented challenges. It was known when planning started that corporate sponsorship was going to be difficult to find this year. Sponsors who had contributed before had to step back and it was difficult to find new sponsors to take their place. Kent thanked the members of the corporate sponsorship committee for their hard and determined work. Even so, the event has been left with a $12,000 shortfall in the sponsorship account.

 

This event is still important. The club will see less revenue for two reasons. First, a new sharing agreement was reached last year reducing the club’s take on the profits. Second, this year we are likely to make less because of the sponsorship situation.

 

The dinner recognizes the first responders in our city. The John Dewar award will be presented as an honor to one who has made an outstanding contribution in this area. The major recipient of the BSS is the RAP program which originated through our club.   

 

The guest speaker will be Kyla Thompson who will speak about how first responders have helped her deal with her daughter and her daughter’s very significant medical problems.

 

 

Jasleen was introduced by Will Arscott. Jasleen (she/her) grew up in India and completed her first university degree there before coming to Canada. She continued her studies at the University of Saskatchewan and Memorial University in Newfoundland.  She is currently serving as the Program Director at the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre. She enjoys every minute of her work in the community. She is passionate about the Food Bank deepening its impact in the community. Jasleen is an educator and trainer at heart. She is a believer in lifelong learning, continuous improvement, with an open and growth-orientated mindset.

Jasleen has now been in Saskatoon for twenty years and is proud to be raising her family here.

 

What we generally refer to as the Food Bank is the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Center.  For some time is has been located off downtown at Avenue C and 21^st St. There is a move coming to the old police station. Jasleen serves as the director of the Learning Center program of the organization.

 

Food security with dignity remains the central focus of the organization. There are many people in our community that are food insecure. The Food Bank can meet only a portion of the need.   All are welcome and are not judged. There is no application process to receive help although people must register and be members of the community. Often the homeless will use the address of a relative or friend to register. Help is limited to a package twice per month with food for three to four days. The Food Bank would like to be able to do more but the donations are not sufficient. Sometimes emergency food aid may be given beyond the two hampers per month.

 

Those of us who travel in the area around Avenue C and 21^st street have witnessed long lines of people outside the Food Bank often in very inclement weather. With the move to the new building, they will be moving to an appointment system to avoid the lines. This will further protect the dignity and anonymity of people using the Food Band services. As the population changes so do food requirements. The Food Bank now offers vegetarian, halal and gluten free alternatives.

 

The Food Bank also operates a clothing depot on Ave. B. They also carry some household items with hygiene items being in particular demand.  

 

The Food Bank relies heavily on volunteer help. Many volunteers work every week and have been part of the Food Bank over an extended period.

 

The Food Bank is dedicated to trying to provide healthy food to the community. Too often the donations from commercial enterprises consist of unhealthy food that has exceeded its shelf life.  To get more healthy fresh food the Food Bank has partnered in a garden project in the 900 block of Ave C. This is a large patch in City Park. In season the produce of this garden is put into the food hampers at the Food Bank.

 

The Food Bank also sponsors cooking classes. Usually these are double sessions. The volunteer teacher arrives with food sufficient for two large and identical meals. The first meal is cooked under the supervision of the volunteer teacher. Enough supplies are left for the participants to make the meal again this time without supervision.

 

At this time of year, the Food Bank offers an income tax preparation service that is in great demand. This program was established by a volunteer who was an accountant. The program has now been running for twenty years. Last year about 3,600 clients were helped to prepare their taxes with some $10 million in tax refunds being returned to the community.

 

When covid hit the entire tax program was moved to be done over the phone. It has continued like this ever since. Typically, from the first phone appointment to the person receiving their refund will take about two weeks. There are also workshops held for people wanting to do their own taxes.

 

There are other programs at the Food Bank that do not immediately relate to food security. They run a work experience/ pre-employment program three times per year. This is a four-month program designed to teach people the skills to hold a job. There are also shorter programs to start people on the path to be ready for employment. Ultimately people’s dignity and position will be increased once they are able to participate in the workforce.

 

There were several questions.  One was asked by Paul Gauthier as to whether the Food Bank was involved with organizations like the Victoria Park Project with whom our Club has a partnership. Jasleen said they work with some of the same stakeholders but was not immediately familiar with the new building or new programs. Jasleen promised to investigate our project and how we might be able to partner with the Food Bank.

 

Jasleen was thanked by Wendy and the usual donation to the Bethany House was explained.  

 

 

 

 Next meeting is on April 22. Maureen Torr will be giving us an update on Joy’s Centre.