Members of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) were in Winkler Monday to say thank you to supporters.
    
At the event, Executive Director Jim Cornelius shared how a lot of their work is dedicated to helping people displaced by conflict around the world.  "We're doing a lot of work 

Jim Cornelius with refugees, people who are displaced either from the Syrian conflict or recently in Myanmar as Rohingya refugees are flooding into Bangladesh, and people displaced in South Sudan."  Cornelius said with the massive drought in East Africa they have also been providing support to farmers and households devastated by serious crop losses.  In addition to that, the CFGB also works to help farmers and communities develop their livelihood.

The number of grow projects across the country has been stable over the last number of years, and some new projects are beginning to take off. Cornelius says the new 'Grow Hope' program linking rural and urban people is looking to be a success.  The project sees urban Canadians sponsor an acre with farmers growing the crop for the "urban farmers."  "More of these projects are coming on board for us, and we're seeing that as an area of real growth for us."

Over 250 projects growing crops for the foodgrains bank this year, stretching from Prince Edward Island to the Fraser Valley in British Columbia. Cornelius says the majority of the projects were located in Ontario and three prairie provinces.

Meanwhile, with a lot of concern about how this year's crop would turn out, especially on the prairies, Cornelius said it was much better than many people expected.  "I think in Manitoba there were some great yields coming from the province, and even in Ontario now where it was very wet, they're more optimistic than earlier in the year."

Harold Penner (Outgoing Regional Rep) with supporters