Blessing: Pierre
Chair: Gerry Davis
O Canada: Sue Ueffing
Guests/Visiting Rotarians: Guests – Lisa Rose and Monica Williams (guest speakers)
Happy $$:
Sue: Had a great Lobster Doo event and thank you to all those who helped make it a great event!
Bill: Looking forward to seeing his grandsons – hasn’t seen them since last August!
President’s Report:
Thanks to everyone who organized and attended the Lobster Doo. Thank you to the club for all of the support over the past two years (it’s Bill’s last meeting as President!). There IS a meeting next week on July 4th, see you all then!
Illness:
Greg Trefry is out with Covid.
Guest Speakers – Lisa Rose & Monica Williams from Annapolis Valley Frugal Moms
Lisa described how she started AV Frugal Moms – she was a teen mom who had three kids by the age of 21 and was on social assistance, so she understood what food insecurity was about. Their family eventually became more comfortable, but 13 years ago she was diagnosed with cervical cancer so she was going to be off work and was scared that their family would go back to feeling insecure. So, she and her friend decided to research how to do couponing. They did lots of research and learning and started Frugal Moms to help other people in the Valley learn how to do it.
They started with helping other families with half of items, couponing and clearance items, and while they continue to help with those they have also moved over the years into gardening and preserving, gleaning, recovering food from grocery stores and farms that would otherwise be destroyed, giving away second-hand clothing and home items, etc. They are very passionate about teaching folks how to cook, preserve and use the items that they’re giving away.
They found that with Covid there was more food insecurity and they have locations from New Minas to Digby (the homes of the volunteers that make up the Frugal Moms team). They have given away 55,000+ lbs of food from January to March and they are just starting their busy season.
In response to questions from the club, Lisa and Monica described that they sometimes get financial help for their gas, like Community Health Board grants and a Covid grant from Kings County, but the gas costs are so large that it often gets used up in a few weeks! You can contact them on Facebook if you have donations or want to get involved. They are a registered charity and no one in their organization is paid – they are all completely volunteer.
Heather thanked the presenters and applauded them on their passion and dedication.
Committee Reports:
Phil - Tulips – We sold ten boxes last week! Send him an email if you want some!
Sue – Events – August 6th there will be a Polio Plus BBQ, it’s a family event (bring kids and grandkids!). BBQ Chicken at the Ueffing’s cottage – cost still to come!
Pierre – Environmental – Help the Invasive Species council dig out Dog Strangling vine in Kentville! August 13th, 9am-4pm.
RI Minute – Shared by Phil Warren
Continuing The Mission Our Rotary year is almost over, but the continuing mission of The Rotary Foundation never ends. The programs of the Rotary Foundation are for present and future needs – educational programs, medical assistance programs, community assistance and development programs, and disaster response programs – all to improve the lives of the people of the world. Thank you for your support of The Rotary Foundation programs and allowing “the good work” of Rotary to continue. We should be proud of our accomplishments as this has been an amazing year in particular for our support for Ukraine and our continued efforts to End Polio Now. |
Chase the Ace: Phil won the ticket draw but… oh no! It was a roll over!!
Meeting closed with the 4-Way Test.
See you next week!
