Hunger in Moose Jaw has played an important role in addressing food security since it began operations 30 years ago and has likely supported hundreds of thousands of people in that time.
The organization celebrated its 30th anniversary on May 5 with a come-and-go tea featuring sandwiches, desserts, tea or coffee, and a blue and white cake.
The first town hall meeting to address child-related food insecurity occurred at Zion United Church on Oct. 6, 1992. The group was originally called Hunger in Our Town, but in 1993, it became incorporated as Hunger in Moose Jaw (HiMJ).
The organization launched the Child Nutrition Program that June, with volunteers making lunches at Empire School and St. Andrew’s United Church.
Hunger in Moose Jaw purchased the Orange Hall on 269 Stadacona Street West in 1995 as its new home, while it started the Headstart Community Preschool that year. It began the Junior Chefs program in 1999, the Good Food Box program in 2000 and took ownership of Yara Community Gardens in 2005.
The organization initially began making 60 lunches a week for children, but three decades later, it now makes 400 lunches a day for elementary and high school students.
This birthday is a “huge milestone” and is important to acknowledge, said Sharla Sept, who has been executive director for six years.
“In one way, we’re happy to be providing the service, but in another way, it’s sad to see that the numbers have gone up (over the years),” she continued.
HiMJ saw a huge jump in children needing support in September 2022, she noted. Some reasons for that include higher food prices, a poorer economy and more families struggling.
The organization has great corporate sponsors and community support, which is how it continues to meet the needs of hungry children, said Sept. While it receives some government funding, most of its revenue is generated through the “I Bought a Lunch” campaign.
HiMJ has 13 employees and many volunteers who make the lunches, deliver them and pack the food boxes, she continued. A group of women starts making fresh lunches at 8 a.m. each day — five days a week — and finishes around 10 a.m. The lunches are then shipped out around 10:45 a.m.
The organization wouldn’t function without its dedicated staff, board members, and community support, Sept added. Meanwhile, HiMJ is a grassroots group that enjoys what it does.
Karen Langton has worked with HiMJ since 1998 as a preschool teacher. She loves the job since it’s the best one she’s ever had.
“Every job here is close to my heart. It’s such a wonderful place,” she said. “I love the kids and watching their faces light up as they learn.”
Attending the anniversary celebration was Carol Acton. She began working for HiMJ in 1999 as a preschool teacher before becoming executive director in 2005; she retired in 2017. She always thought making a small difference in people’s lives was a privilege.
“I … just absolutely loved this place and the people that I worked with,” she said.
With a laugh, Acton said she spent plenty of time worrying about finances and programming. There were days when staff worried about whether the organization would continue to exist. However, the community was very supportive, while board members helped the organization grow.
“We’ve always had a strong board that is really involved and really interested in what we do. And that continues as well,” Acton remarked.
Action remembers when HiMJ began making 100 lunches a day from 60 a week — “Holy doodle!” she exclaimed — and thought they couldn’t handle it. Those numbers then grew to 300 lunches a day.
While numbers increased, the quality of the lunches also improved. Initially, children received half a sandwich, a half-piece of fruit and sometimes a treat. Now they receive a full sandwich, fruit or veggies, milk and other nutritious items.
“This is an amazing place. And the work they do makes this community better,” Action added. “I’m just so proud to have been a part of it.”
To support Hunger in Moose Jaw, visit its office or website at hungerinmoosejaw.org.
