The Okanagan Gleaners Society began in 1994. Twelve people were at that first meeting - a Christian group who had come together because of their great concern--first, for the amount of fruit and vegetables which, because of slight imperfections, were deemed unsuitable for the "picky" Canadian consumers, and were left to rot in the orchards. This troubled these people so much that they decided to do something about the surplus. They would find a way to use it to feed the world's hungry. They had no bank account, no building to use for production, no equipment--just faith.

It seemed like a miracle when a completely suitable property was donated for a period of ten year on Number three Road just south of Oliver, The five acres included an old barn, once used for drying tobacco, 2 pickers' cabins, and fruit trees.

The barn, though structurally strong, needed extensive renovations. The first fifty feet were converted to a processing facility. A new roof was installed, and power, water and gas brought in. Wonderful donations began to arrive. These included a 1981 Ford dump truck that was converted to a flatbed truck, a small tractor which was modified to use as a forklift, gas dryers, and machinery which gradually replaced the huge amount of work required to chop the fruits and vegetables by hand. The town of Osoyoos donated a commercial-sized natural gas hot water tank. Paint was donated to re-create the outside of the building. A working area consisting of a fifty-foot slab outside the building was first paved, then covered with a roof to keep out the summer heat and winter precipitation. And inside the building the dirt floor was replaced by concrete. Meanwhile, the first "gleanings" were processed, packed and shipped. They went to an orphanage in northern Mexico.

As knowledge of their work spread, workers appeared from all over parts of Canada and the United States. The orchard area made a perfect campground, and inside the building a kitchen, washrooms and showers were built for the use of the campers. Youth groups as well as Seniors came to spend summer time with the Gleaners. And a pattern emerged for creating a dried soup mix, which was packed in bags that in turn were packed into barrels. Whatever vegetables were donated each day were chopped, dried, and stored, to be blended later and used to make a nourishing soup mix.

A routine was established for the summer months. Work went on all morning, and after trays were packed with whatever vegetables were available, they were put into the dryers. The workers enjoyed a free afternoon. Families could take children to the beach, or enjoy other Okanagan attractions. Toward evening the dried vegetables were ready to pack into the plastic bags that would eventually fill the barrels. Once those were packed, they were shipped as quickly as possible via reputable carriers, such as the Mennonite Committee, or World Vision, to the needy in other continents. A goodly portion is always saved for local endeavours - food banks and soup kitchens. There is need in our own country, also.

Membership was set at $5.00--and later was voted to become a lifetime membership. A regular newsletter informs members of successes and needs, small or large. An annual meeting is held to inform all who are interested of the latest projects, and to keep members in touch. The dried soup was found to be the most needed product. A pail of dried vegetables would make 80,000 servings of one cup each. The work of the Gleaners became better known as television documentaries reached Canadians all over our vast country.

Sometimes urgent requests for help were answered. While a container was being packed at Abbotsford, destined for Rumania, an appeal for socks for Rumanian orphans was received. This led to containers being filled in every available space, with socks, mitts and toques for children. Volunteer knitters were soon busy all year long.

Meanwhile all help had been by volunteer. But a need for a full-time manager was becoming evident. Pat and Bob Ellis answered this call. A separate account was set up to provide for their needs. Only those monies designated for their special work went to this account. They were never paid from funds for needy children overseas. Eventually this system has proved successful. It has been invaluable to have a plant manager always on site and able to give the Gleaners his whole attention. Bob's work has provided wonderful leadership and direction.

Sadly, the future of the Gleaners plant is now in limbo. The ten-year agreement is up, and the landlord is now anxious to sell. He wishes to sell the entire 14-acre farm to the Gleaners themselves, at a price that, naturally, seems prohibitive. Alternately, he would like to sell to someone who would keep the Gleaners still in its present location.

The last of the 2005 crop of Soup Mix has been shipped--to Uganda, Liberia, Columbia, Congo, Guatemala and Swaziland. One shipment, to Swaziland, went to some 7000 Aids orphans who have been existing on one Red Cross meal a day. The need was never greater. The Gleaners do their best to meet as much as possible. They never give up hope. They are a cheery crew. And they welcome visitors!

2006-10 Dodi Morrison