An event that aims to raise money for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank is set to go in Markdale this month.
It’s called the ‘Grow Hope Harvest Celebration,’ and is set for August 16th to 19th on the East Back Line a few miles south of County Road 12, where visitors will see a big white tent.
The Grow Hope initiative is a project of the church organization, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Canada. They work with local farmers to grow a crop with the proceeds of its sale going into the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
Henry Reinders is the Ontario regional representative for Canadian Foodgrains Bank. He says the money is used for food assistance and long-term response programs in the developing world.
People can sponsor an acre at $400 or part of an acre to cover costs of seed, fertilizer and crop protection products.
They say last year, donations supported 42 acres.
The event from the 16th-18th starts with a pie and ice-cream night with live music on Friday at 6:30 followed at 7 by a talk from Bill Allen from the Rockwood area on his experiences in Malawi where he recently went on a Canadian Foodgrains Bank learning tour.
Starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, there will be a Family Fun Day with a corn maze, kids go karts, petting zoo, bouncy castle, hay rides, games, a Markdale Rotary Club BBQ, a corn roast and Chapman’s ice cream.
In the evening there’s a short program and then music from the Gingrich Family.
On Sunday, two church services are planned for 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Those who would like to donate can visit the website at growhopemarkdale.org or they can call Wayne Goudy at 519-986-2841.