OYEN UNITED CHURCH: $10K Mission and Service Grant helps Breakfast Programs

The Oyen United Church was successful in receiving a $10,000 Mission and Service Grant through the Chinook Winds Region of the United Church of Canada. The grant proposal demonstrated Oyen United Church's request to enhance its work in the community to support Assumption, Oyen Public and South Central High Schools' Breakfast Programs and Oyen and District Food Bank and to develop stronger relationships with community partners. The grant reflected the importance of food in nurturing healthy bodies, minds, and spirits. The grant also emphasized that no one should go hungry.  It also recognized the challenge of a small community to raise sufficient funds to run these programs as the cost of food continues to rise and budgets are stretched.

In the past, Oyen United church has hosted their March Soup and Sandwich to donate one hundred percent of the proceeds raised to our three local schools' Breakfast Programs. Oyen United also supports the Oyen and District Food Bank with the collection of financial contributions and food items for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The congregation also gathers toiletries, toques, gloves, scarves, and socks to be included in the Christmas Hampers, which Oyen Family Community Support Services and the Food Bank orchestrate. Oyen United is also the treasurer for the Thrift Store and supports operations of the Food Bank and Thrift Store with many volunteer hours.

Fifty percent of the funds from this grant will be distributed to the three schools based on their population. When SCHS Principal Dawn Peers was informed of the donation, she exclaimed, "This is so exciting! Now we can offer more protein!" The remaining fifty percent will go to the Oyen and District Food Bank. 

Oyen United Church is so grateful for this opportunity to enhance its work in the community and live out its Vision Statement, "That God's love is seen in our daily living.”

Students from Assumption Roman Catholic School will benefit from the Mission and Service Grant for the Breakfast Program. The Oyen United Church is developing stronger relationships with community partners, including all three schools and the Oyen Food Bank. Photo by Diana Walker

Carmen Hoffmann, South Central High School Breakfast Co-ordinator, receives a cheque for the South Central High School Breakfast Program from Heather Norris, Mission & Service Co-ordinator. Accompanying Heather are Rev. Johnny Rhoad and Imogen Hauck, chairman of the Oyen United Church Board.

“The nutrition program started at SCHS in the 2017-18,” says Carmen.

“I am an EA at the school and get an extra hour a day to organize and serve the students every morning. Toast, bagels, cereal and waffles are a staple. I try to serve fresh fruit, yogurt, granola bars, applesauce and fruit cups as budget and sales at local stores allow.  Community members have donated muffins, egg bites, strudels and scones to the programs that the kids have really enjoyed.

“We have some families who have made donations of margarine, jams, yogurt, cream cheese and honey to help out.  We have received some cash and gift card donations as well. The food bank has helped us in the past with donations.  Every little bit has helped and is greatly appreciated as our budget was severely cut a couple years ago and it is such an important program at our school.  Usually I serve between 30-70 students,” concluded Carmen. Photo by Diana Walker

Heather Norris, Mission & Service Co-ordinator, presents Ms. Wolfe (left), principal of Assumption Roman Catholic School, with a cheque to be used toward their Breakfast Program. “Nutritious breakfast items are available to all 62 Assumption students,” says Christie Caskey. Imogene Hauck, chairman of the Oyen United Church Board and Rev. Johnny Rhoad accompanied Heather to the school. The students gathered around the presenters for a photo. Photo by Diana Walker

Carla Stammers, the Breakfast Lady as the kids tend to call her, receives a cheque from Heather Norris, Mission and Service Co-ordinator for the Oyen Public School Breakfast Program. In her 24th year as an EA, Carla cooks eggs, sausages, cinnamon pastries, toast, muffins, cereal, smoothies, waffles and breakfast sandwiches. Accompany Heather are Rev. Johnny Rhoad and Imogene Hauck, chairman of the Oyen United Church Board. Photo by Diana Walker