The Season of Giving is upon us, and the Warman Food Bank is an excellent local resource for those wanting to give back to the community. Gina Funk, Warman Food Bank Administrator, explains how the Food Bank, which is run by Warman churches, operates: “We don't have a physical location other than the stock of non-perishable food that the Warman Mennonite Church on 6th Avenue and Awakening Church each have. Because of the lack of location, we give out gift cards for the Co-op (and soon the Buy-Low Foods). The money to buy these cards is mostly collected at Christmas-time by donations from local businesses, The Warman Community Association, The Warman Thrift Shop, Warman Diamond Rodeo, our schools, and various sports and activity clubs. Our churches do a number of different fundraisers during the year for the Food Bank. There is the Community Carol Festival at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 1 at the Brian King Centre, and Tea and Jam Fundraiser on February 9, as well as events each local church holds within their own congregations.”
The Christmas Food Drive began November 5 and runs until December 5. Gina says, “We enlisted the help of all four of our city's schools, The Legends Centre and City Hall to be collection locations. Anyone who wants to drop off non-perishable food items can do so at any of those locations. We'll then get all that food moved over to Awakening Church on December 6 and begin sorting it into boxes for families of different sizes according to the list of nominated families to receive these hampers. Any excess food left from the Christmas Food Drive will be kept for distribution during the year as people have need.” Cash and grocery gift cards can be sent directly to the Warman Food Bank (details below).
2019 has been a difficult year for many families and there has been a financial strain on the Warman Food Bank, so helping out this year in any way you can is very important. If you aren’t able to donate food or money, consider offering your time in December to help sort the food from the Food Drive into hampers made up of non-perishable food and small grocery store gift cards (to allow families to purchase the fresh goods for a Christmas Dinner).
If you are looking for ideas on what kinds of food is best to donate to the Food Bank, Gina explains, “Anything is great – cereal, pasta, rice, canned vegetables, soup, lunchbox items, canned meat or fish. Gluten free items are always needed. Even some essentials like toilet paper and laundry detergent is great, too – we all need that stuff. Or baby items, baby cereal, jarred baby food and wipes. (Formula can be kind of diet specific and therefore hit and miss, as well as diapers. People may not need the size that we have if diapers are donated. But again, we'll be THANKFUL for anything and everything we get.) Cash, cheques and grocery gift cards are always great because if the supply of pantry items runs low, we have other ways of helping people.
The Wagon Wheel Restaurant at 520 Central Street West in Warman is holding a Toy Drive for new, unwrapped toys, games or books to be included in the Warman Food Bank Christmas Hampers. Each hamper includes a gift for each child of the family receiving a hamper. Drop off deadline is December 10. You can also bring your donation to the Wagon Wheel Restaurant’s “Breakfast with Santa” on Saturday, December 7, 8:30 to 10:30 am. Bring the kids to have a chance to meet Santa and have a photo taken with him.
If you are in need of help from the Warman Food Bank, or you would like to donate or volunteer, contact Gina Funk. She says, “I can be reached by phone at 306-934-7007, by email at [email protected], or by Facebook. Our website, www.warmanfoodbank.ca has a "DONATE NOW" button where people can donate electronically after doing a very simple account setup with an app. And of course just mailing a cheque made to Warman Food Bank, Box 1398, Warman SK S0K 4S0. If donors want a tax deductible receipt they can make their cheque out to any of the churches in Warman. The Food Bank itself cannot issue receipts, so that is why the churches look after that for the Food Bank.” There is also a “Nominate Someone in Need” button on the website that can be used any time during the year, not just at Christmas.
Remember that even though the need for the Warman Food Bank is especially high at Christmas-time, you can make donations all year round. To participate in the current Food Drive, drop off non-perishable food items at any of our schools, City Hall and The Legends Centre until December 5, and new unwrapped toys, books or games for the Toy Drive at The Wagon Wheel in Warman until December 10. The Warman Food Bank is grateful for all donations and appreciates the community support!
Warman Minor Hockey is very excited to have been chosen for a new male Midget AAA hockey team for the 20/21 season.
“The Community of Warman and Warman Minor Hockey have talked about having a AAA team in Warman since The Legends Centre was built and believed that with the size of our hockey association (more than 650 players and 150 coaches) we could qualify be one of the top 12 communities to host in Saskatchewan. We have the numbers, the facility, and are very excited to host a team,” a representative of Warman Minor Hockey said.
In an email announcement on November 12, 2109, WMHA stated that they “believe the hard work that has been going into the player, coach and overall development of hockey in our community is what lead to this decision. We would like to thank all those involved in the bid, it is greatly appreciated."
Great Plains College is proud to renew a strategic alliance with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner that promises the two will continue to work together to educate on Treaties and Indigenous knowledge, and to promote an Indigenous-inclusive learning environment.
Great Plains College renews strategic alliance with Office of the Treaty Commissioner
WARMAN, SK – Great Plains College is proud to renew a strategic alliance with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) that promises the two will continue to work together to educate on Treaties and Indigenous knowledge, and to promote an Indigenous-inclusive learning environment. The original two-year partnership was made official in 2017, and in that time, the college and OTC have worked together to incorporate Indigenous perspectives, knowledge and reconciliation into the college’s six locations for both students and staff. “The decision to formally partner with OTC has brought more awareness and greater educational opportunities to our college community; our staff are more educated, our students more aware and our communities more involved,” said David Keast, President & CEO at Great Plains College. “We look forward to building upon the foundation that has been set over the past two years to ensure all those connected to our college have a good understanding of treaties, the treaty relationship and reconciliation.”
Since 2017, OTC has provided presentations directly to Great Plains College students, delivered training sessions to staff at multiple locations and at an annual staff gathering, and supported the college in establishing an Indigenous Engagement Committee. OTC has also supported the college in hosting a number of reconciliation events, including the Walk for Reconciliation in Swift Current and a Rural Reconciliation event in Warman.
“Great Plains College has shown a commitment to including Indigenous perspectives and knowledge in their college culture, and we look forward to continuing our work together to promote reconciliation through education,” said Mary Culbertson, Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan.
OTC and Great Plains College will continue to work together to provide staff training sessions, student presentations and community events to promote dialogue, education and understanding of Treaties, the Treaty relationship and Reconciliation.
Oktoberfest - School Playground fundraiserTake part in the 3rd Annual Oktoberfest in support of Holy Trinity and Traditions School Playground Projects. Featuring local Breweries throughout Saskatchewan, Raffle Prizes & 50/50, music by Elite DJ's. Tickets are available online on Eventbrite, and in person by contacting Kristen at 306-230-4366 or Charlene at 306-612-0573
Warman, get set for the Frosty Freeze! On Saturday participants will gather at the Legends Centre to defy winter's grasp on squashing outdoor activity with an all ages, non-competitive event, designed to promote being active over winter.
The Frosty Freeze is a fun 2km, 5km or 10km run through the parks of Warman. Starting at the Legends Centre, family and friends will head out for their frosty journey and show winter who's boss!!! Upon completion of the route, participants will return to the Legends Centre to refuel and warm up with snacks and prizes! Registration is free, but donations to KidSport are greatly accepted.
Warman Frosty Freeze Run
Sat Nov 2nd 10:00am - 5:00pm The Legends Centre, 701 Centennial Blvd, Warman, SK S0K 4S2, Canada map Get out for some exercise and support KidSport while you do it at the Warman Frosty Freeze Fun Run (2K, 5K, 10K). The event registration fee is by donation only. Pick-up your pledge forms at The Legends Centre. Sponsored by Compass Chiropractic and Atlas Outdoors Cycle and Recreation
Halloween is the highlight of the year for many kids, and happy little goblins, witches and superheroes will be let loose around Warman this evening. They will be excited to show off their awesome costumes and get free candy - what’s better than that, really? And even though everyone loves a good scare on Halloween, not so when considering the safety of our kids. There are a few things we can remember to help everyone have a safe and enjoyable evening.
As a driver, please be extra cautious while kids are out Trick or Treating. Drive slowly, anticipate kids being everywhere and turn your headlights on earlier in the day. Kids in costumes can be more difficult to see. Stop ahead of an intersection to let people cross safely, and keep an eye out all along the street, especially at alleyways and when turning. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways. When heading out Trick or Treating, get a group together. It’s a lot of fun and a safer way to go. Younger children should be still accompanied by an adult (groups can make it more fun for the adults as well), but if older kids are heading out without an adult with them, have them share their planned route with their family, set agreed-to boundaries and be home on time.
Remember that, even though it’s Halloween, some people might not want to be disturbed. A good rule of thumb is to visit homes that have the outside light on – that's a sign the house is happy to receive Trick or Treaters. Don't persistently ring someone's doorbell, knock on their door or return to their house later. If they don't answer, it's best to move on.
Don't forget to stop in at the senior care homes, as they love to see the kids in their costumes! If you’re staying home to hand out candy, enjoy all the excitement that Halloween brings to your door but be mindful that there may be kids with special needs, some of whom may be non-verbal. Be patient! Also, if you have some high school kids coming to your door asking for food donations, they are from Warman High School collecting items for the Warman Food Bank as part of the We Scare Hunger campaign. (Maybe they should get some candy, too!) All in all, keep safety in mind, but the most important thing is to make memories with your family and friends, have some laughs and a lot of fun! Happy Halloween!
Oktoberfest
Sat Nov 2nd 7:00pm Brian King Centre, 202 8 Ave N, Warman, SK S0K 4S1, Canada map Take part in the 3rd Annual Oktoberfest in support of Holy Trinity and Traditions School Playground Projects. Featuring local Breweries throughout Saskatchewan, Raffle Prizes & 50/50, music by Elite DJ's Tickets are now available! available online on Eventbrite, and in person by contacting Kristen at 306-230-4366 or Charlene at 306-612-0573 Local High School Kids Collecting Food Instead of Treats this Halloween for the Warman Food Bank10/30/2019
High school students in Warman will be out 'Trick or Treating' on Halloween this year for a good cause. They are participating in a campaign by Free The Children called "We Scare Hunger." They are looking for donations of any type of non-perishable food items instead of candy which they will pass on to St. John's Lutheran Church for the Warman Food Bank.
So if some Trick or Treaters come to your door who seem like they might be a little too old, keep an open mind and open your door to them. Support these students in their We Scare Hunger campaign by giving them a food donation if you can. The campaign is meant to raise awareness about hunger in our community.
The students participating from Warman High School thank you for your support! |
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