This year's charity crop was 120 acres. (Supplied)

By Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

$70,918 RAISED

Central Alberta Foodgrains Growing Project harvests for international hunger

Oct 7, 2024 | 4:36 PM

The Central Alberta Foodgrains Growing Project has raised $70,918 for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank to aid in the fight against international hunger.

The money comes from a 120-acre canola harvest near Lacombe, plus 20 acres near Gull Lake. This year’s crop was larger than last year, but saw a lower yield due to excessive heat and little moisture over the summer, explained Doug Maas, a committee member with the Central Alberta Foodgrains Growing Project.

The additional 20 acres near Gull Lake were harvested in early September, while the 120-acre harvest took place on October 5, utilizing 10 local farmers and their combines, and two grain trucks. The harvest took about two hours.

“Everyone is a volunteer and that’s what makes our project so great, because we’re just so passionate about what we do and everybody’s keen to do it, so whatever they can help, they do it,” said Maas.

About 150 people showed up to enjoy a meal and celebrate and watch the harvest. Maas said they had a donation bucket in place for the event, and community members who attended contributed an additional $5,875 in cash and cheques.

$70,918 RAISED

Central Alberta Foodgrains Growing Project harvests for international hunger

1h ago

19 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Roundabout expected to open next week at 19 Street and 40 Avenue

3h ago

LAST SEEN JUNE 16

MISSING: Lucas Boskers, 26, of Red Deer

8h ago

“It’s so heartening that when we have so much in this country, we’re so blessed, that we’re able to help others. Not only are we helping people in countries throughout the world with hunger needs, we’re also building our own community here by bringing all these people together, rural and urban,” commented Maas.

He added that the federal government matches money raised through the program in a 4:1 ratio, so the number is bigger than it looks.

—

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the rdnewsNOW newsletter by visiting rdnewsNOW.com. You can also download the rdnewsNOW mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store for all the latest updates on this and other stories.