(The Mustard Seed - Red Deer)

By Sheldon Spackman

$20,000 goal in Central Alberta

The Mustard Seed hosting Giving Tuesday fundraiser

Nov 29, 2021 | 4:35 PM

Central Albertans are being encouraged to take part in an annual event this week focused on giving to those less fortunate in our community.

Giving Tuesday is described as an international day of giving or a global day of caring and compassion and takes place this year on Nov. 30. Locally, it’s also a day where charities, companies, and individuals can rally together to provide life-saving support to the 650+ people The Mustard Seed serves in Alberta every day.

Bryan Goehringer, Sr. Manager Campaign, Partnerships & Grant Development for The Mustard Seed, says the day is a follow-up to the consumer-heavy Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with Tuesday being a day to focus on the needs of others.

“Giving Tuesday is the unofficial kick-off of the holiday, charitable season,” he explains. “We recognize as an organization, that Christmas time is a time when people want to give. They recognize that we have very hard winters, and for those who are experiencing homelessness or living in extreme poverty, these can be very challenging times.”

In partnership with Fairfield Watson, Mustard Seed officials say every Giving Tuesday donation made will be matched up until midnight. This means your gift will provide double the help and support for children, families, seniors, and vulnerable community members in need.

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In Red Deer, Goehringer says Kipp Scott GMC Cadillac Buick is matching all gifts received up to $10,000 on Giving Tuesday.

“They can give online or they can even mail in a donation to The Mustard Seed in Red Deer,” says Goehringer. “All donations that day are going to be matched.”

“We provide shelter, meals, and holistic supports, so things like advocacy and employment services, and really to provide a meaningful opportunity to move out of homelessness,” shares Goehringer. “We’re so proud of the work that’s done by our front line staff and thrilled to be able to work with those people who really want to have a better life. It can really be a hopeless time of year for a lot of people, especially when you are experiencing homelessness, so it’s a way of providing hope.”

Provincially, The Mustard Seed is hoping to reach a fundraising goal of $100,000 on Giving Tuesday.

“We want to take advantage of that matching gift from our friends at Kipp Scott. They’ve committed the $10,000 and our goal in Central Alberta is to raise $20,000.”

At The Mustard Seed in Red Deer, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary, the facility currently has 46 shelter mats, delivered over 59,000 school lunches in 2020, saw over 3,300 health and wellness services provided, and served over 121,800 meals.

To elaborate on that, each day, around 425 students at 48 schools in Central Alberta receive healthy and nutritious lunches through the School Lunch Program, while wellness advocates meet with clients to determine which programs and services best meet their needs. These health and wellness services include counselling, medical doctor and nurses, assistance with obtaining ID, employment, income support, and housing, community resources, drop-in programming, and more.

The Dinner Program, meantime, not only provides hot meals three nights per week, but an opportunity for those living in homelessness and poverty to build a sense of community with staff and other guests. Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday meals are served in-person, following all physical distancing and COVID-19 guidelines, along with offering take-away meals.

For those experiencing homelessness, the shelter allows them to spend the night. In the morning, guests can have breakfast and take a packed lunch that staff prepares and serves.

There are also a variety of drop-in programs and services such as haircuts, coffee and snacks, movie nights, prayer meetings, Bible studies, and many more, offered in a safe and supportive space.

Goehringer reminds residents that The Mustard Seed is a grassroots organization.

“We wouldn’t be able to do anything that we do without the support, kindness and generosity of individuals, families, businesses and local organizations, so thank you.”

The Mustard Seed is delivering 100 dozen cookies to thank its different donors and partners in the community on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 30.