Grow Hope SK year-end update! (Via Rick Guenther)
Our crop this year may have raised over $1 million (after Government grants) for the hungry... that's something to celebrate!
Dear friends,
As the Advent season begins, we are full of gratitude for another fruitful year of Grow Hope. The seventh season brought its share of challenges and triumphs, a reminder of God's faithful provision even in challenging times.
Reflecting on the season:
The 2024 season began with ideal conditions for growing a crop but as the weeks went on, a variety of environmental conditions took their toll on yield expectations. This year was also characterized by increased input expenses and decreasing crop prices, including a recent threat of trade tariffs. At the same time, a couple fields received timely rainfall and surprising yields despite weeks of heat and no rain.
Donors played a huge role in this year's outcome. By the end of the season, all 428 acres committed by farmers were covered by donations, plus nine extra. Together with the estimated value of the crop, the total amount raised is $248,243 – an incredible contribution to help end global hunger.
As usual, these funds will be matched by the Government of Canada with an additional amount of up to $992,000 that would not be there without your prayers and generosity. You’ve helped turn challenges into opportunities, and seeds into sustenance for those in need.
One of the landowners participating in the project recently shared a verse found in Malachi 3:10 that echoed his experience of making land available to the project. In this passage, we are invited to test God by bringing “the whole tithe into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."
From 2018 to 2024:
This chart reflects the number of acres that have been committed to the project by farmers since its inception in 2018, starting with 160 acres, to this year, at 428 acres. It also depicts the funds that were raised in each of those years. The cumulative amount throughout seven years is about $1.35M. The projects that are supported with these funds are matched with government contributions anywhere from a 1:1 to 4:1 ratio. At the highest ratio, used mostly for emergency food distribution, this project would have generated approx. $6.7M to provide food to the estimated 757 million people worldwide who experience hunger.
Learn more and be inspired:
Check out the Growing the Future podcast, hosted by Dan and Terry of Aberhart Farms, one of the Grow Hope farming families. The latest episode features Rick Block, a Saskatchewan representative of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
In this insightful episode, Rick discusses global food security, shares personal experiences, and highlights the innovative Grow Hope project. Terry’s son, Holden, also shares his perspective as a young man engaged in these important issues. Listen to the episode here.
Christmas Cheer:
Once again, we invite you to celebrate the Advent season with Peanut Butter Power Balls! Last Christmas, Jill Mitchell, an ambassador for the project created this timeless creation for all to enjoy.
Click here to enjoy the recipe
The impact of collaboration:
As you reflect with us on the impact of seven years of hard work, generosity and the commitment of farmers and donors, and multiple faith traditions, we invite you to read about Mok Samoun beating the odds in Cambodia - a result of this kind of collaboration.
May this Christmas season bring rest, reflection, and celebration. Thank you for being part of this impactful project.
Together, we can cultivate a world where all are fed.
On behalf of the steering committee of these five partners; Anglican Diocese of Qu'Appelle, Synod of Saskatchewan of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, Canadian Baptist Ministries, and MCC Saskatchewan,
Rick Guenther
Communications & Donor Relations Director | MCC Saskatchewan