A Ponoka project to help fight world hunger is set to begin in the new crop year. The Ponoka Foodgrains Project, part of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, will be planting a large area of land to help hungry people around the world build a better future.
“There will be 170 acres of land in Ponoka that will be seeded,” said Peter Doornenbal Ponoka Growing Project committee member. “It’s a large project and we’re hoping for support from businesses and organizations in town.”
The money raised from the crop will be matched on a 4:1 ratio by the Canadian International Development Agency a federal government program.
The success of the project is made possible through the community efforts of farmers, local businesses, individuals and churches who donated.
Because it is a large-scale project that relies on donations the organization is encouraging financial contributions. There are a variety of ways to support this project such as sponsoring an acre to help land rent and cropping costs or donating time and equipment to help cut down on the costs of production.
Every contribution no matter the size helps in making a difference in the lives of hungry people overseas.
The harvest of the crop is a spirited community event and the farmers join with the businesses, individuals and churches in the field for a harvest lunch.
Last year the Ponoka project broke a record bringing in $70,000 for the cause and was one of the 72 projects on the Prairies, 33 which were in Alberta.
For more information contact Doornenbal at 783-2947 or public relations officer Larry Henderson at 782-5218.