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Share the warmth by donating winter clothing

October 10, 2019

The cooler weather is a reminder that winter is just around the corner. Winters in Haliburton County can be long and cold. Having the right winter gear can make it much more bearable.

The fourth annual Share the Warmth winter clothing drive kicks off on October 10, 2019. An initiative of SIRCH Community Services, Share the Warmth helps families and seniors stay warm by distributing free winter coats and winter wear.

To contribute to Share the Warmth, you may drop off clean, gently used winter clothing items—clean coats, snow pants, mitts, hats, winter boots, socks, and slippers—between October 10 to 22, 2019 at drop-off locations throughout the county.

In Haliburton, the drop-off locations are Algonquin Outfitters (218 Highland St), Haliburton Foodland (188 Highland St), SIRCH Community Services (49 Maple Avenue, 2^nd Floor), and Todd’s Independent (5121 County Rd 21).

In Minden, the drop-off locations are Dollo’s Foodland (12325 Hwy 35), Easton’s ValuMart (12646 Hwy 35), and St. Paul’s Anglican Church (19 Invergordon Ave).

“We’re grateful for the local businesses and organizations who support this annual winter clothing drive,” said Margee Shelly, Program Coordinator at SIRCH Community Services. “We’re especially grateful to all the members of the community who generously donate their gently worn winter jackets to help others in the county.”

If you are in need of a winter coat or other winter clothing, you may attend one of two Give Away Days. There will also be coffee and hot chocolate available. All winter wear items are free of charge.

The first Give Away Day is Thursday, October 24, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at St. Paul’s Anglican Church (19 Invergordon Ave, Minden).

The second Give Away Day is Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at SIRCH Central, 2 Victoria Street, Haliburton.

“Share the Warmth is a way for us to help our neighbours stay warm this winter,” explained Margee. “The generous donations of clean coats, snow pants, and other winter clothing can make a huge difference in a person’s life during the long winter in the Highlands.”

Celebrate SIRCH Community Services’ 30th Anniversary

October 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

SIRCH Community Services exists to identify gaps in health and social services in Haliburton County, and then implement initiatives and programs that help to address those gaps.

“SIRCH has a rich history of offering programs, providing training opportunities, and operating social enterprises to address issues of poverty, social development, isolation, food insecurity, and job training,” said SIRCH board president, Barbara Fawcett. “SIRCH was originally founded in 1989. And now in 2019, we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary! Over those 30 years, our programs and services have grown and evolved to meet changing needs. Its truly remarkable to see the deep and profound impact SIRCH has had on the community.”

SIRCH is hosting a 30^th Anniversary Celebration event on Thursday, October 17, 2019, at the Community Room in the Haliburton Community Funeral Home, 13523 Hwy 118, Haliburton. Drop in any time between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Formal presentations will take place starting at 6 p.m. Mike Jaycock will be the Master of Ceremonies.

Visit with people who have been involved over the years in various programs, services, and volunteer activities. See a visual history of the organization’s impact. Share stories and reflections over a coffee or glass of wine. Everyone welcome.

You can RSVP for this free event at www.sirch.on.ca/anniversary or by phoning 705-457-1742.

Many people in Haliburton County have been touched by SIRCH—whether as a participant in one of its many programs, a recipient of one of its services, or as a volunteer or a staff person.

“For 30 years, SIRCH has been blessed by the contributions of so many people,” explained SIRCH’s executive director, Gena Robertson. “Over 320 volunteers, 235 staff, and 63 volunteer board members, have helped make SIRCH a success. Their efforts have empowered SIRCH to provide quality, effective programs and services that have reached and benefitted countless individuals and families throughout Haliburton County.”

Harvesting community contributions: Apple Sauce Project celebrates another great year

October 2, 2019 Leave a Comment

Haliburton County agencies and non-profit organizations are celebrating the impactful contributions of community members in making this year’s Apple Sauce Project a resounding success.

The Apple Sauce Project is a community initiative that turns unused apples from local trees into apple sauce, which is then frozen and distributed to seniors and families.

“The 2019 season of the Apple Sauce Project has been a fantastic success,” said Apple Sauce Project Lead Kate Hall of HKPR District Health Unit. “Local residents donated apples from trees on their properties. Their contributions helped get this year’s Apple Sauce Project off to a great start.”

A team of volunteers visited local orchards and properties to pick apples. “Seven volunteers donated their time to harvest apples. We’re really grateful for their hard work,” stated Nancy Brownsberger of Haliburton Highlands Health Services. “In addition, we want to thank the local property owners that permitted us to pick apples from their properties and orchards. It was a bumper year for apples!”

Over two days, the donated and picked apples were then turned into apple sauce. “We had 16 volunteers spend time in the SIRCH Community Kitchen, washing, cutting, cooking, processing, packaging, and freezing apple sauce,” explained Jay McIvor of SIRCH Community Services. “It’s an amazing feeling knowing your efforts make a difference in our community. Thanks to all the volunteers for participating!”

The Minden Community Food Centre also participated in the Apple Sauce Project. “Our volunteers work very well together. Not only have they made containers of apple sauce, but they also made apple crisp, which is also really popular with our food bank’s clients,” stated Marilynne Lesperance, Community Kitchen Manager of the Minden Community Food Centre. “We have a really good system in place!”

In total, 1,694 containers of apple sauce were made. Over the coming months the apple sauce will be distributed by Meals On Wheels, SIRCH Frozen Meals, and local food banks.

“The Apple Sauce project is a great example of community partners successfully working together to ensure everyone in our community has access to fresh, local and nutritious food,” said Kate Hall.

The Apple Sauce Project is facilitated by community partnerships:

Take a tasty trip to Korea—without leaving the Highlands

September 18, 2019 Leave a Comment

Tired of making the same old dinners, day after day, week after week? Curious about flavours and dishes from other parts of the world? Want to improve your cooking skills?

SIRCH Community Services has just the thing to rejuvenate your meal preparations: Korean Cooking Classes!

In these classes, you will learn to cook authentic, popular Korean dishes: Bulgogi Jeongol (hot pot), Dumpling Jeongol, Soondubu Jjigae (soft tofu stew), and Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup).

“I am passionate about cooking, and sharing my Korean heritage with others,” said class instructor Lydia Kim of SIRCH Community Services. “You don’t need to be an experienced cook to participate. Just be open to trying new skills and trying new tasty dishes!”

A graduate of SIRCH’s Cook It Up restaurant industry job training program, Lydia moved to Haliburton County from Peterborough a number of years ago. She originally emigrated from Korea when she was a teenager. “Food helps bring people together. When family and friends work together in the kitchen, they enjoy their time together, create memories, and the meal tastes just that much better.” She encourages friends and couples to sign up for the classes so they can share and socialize together.

Each class, you’ll learn how to prepare a specific Korean dish, then sit down together and eat your delicious lunch! You’ll take back recipes so you can make the dish at home too! Proceeds from the classes will help support SIRCH Community Service’s food initiatives, like the Community Kitchen.

There are four Korean Cooking Classes in fall 2019:

Monday, October 21, 2019 – Bulgogi Jeongol (hot pot)
Monday, November 4, 2019 – Dumpling Jeongol
Monday, November 18, 2019 – Soondubu Jjigae (soft tofu stew)
Monday, December 2, 2019 – Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup)

The classes will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at SIRCH Central, located at 2 Victoria Street, Haliburton (next to the laundromat). Class size is limited to eight people, so there’s opportunities to ask questions, participate, and assemble the dish. The cost per person per class is $65. You can pick and choose what class you’d like to attend. Or, register for three classes and get the fourth class for half price. Register and pay for the cooking classes by calling SIRCH at 705-457-1742, or drop by 49 Maple Avenue, Unit 4, in Haliburton.

Haliburton residents and visitors have previously enjoyed Lydia’s cooking at SIRCH’s Korean Cooking Classes held in spring 2019, and to rave reviews at the International Bistro at the Haliburton Highlands Secondary School during the summer.

How do you like them apples? Apple Sauce Project returns to Haliburton County

September 9, 2019 Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again when the apples are ripe and falling from the trees—perfect for apple sauce!

The Apple Sauce Project is a community initiative that turns unused apples from local trees into apple sauce, which is then frozen and distributed to seniors and families through Meals on Wheels, SIRCH Frozen Meals, and through local food banks. The project is a great example of ensuring everyone in our community has access to fresh, local and nutritious food.

If you have apple trees, and are not sure what to do with all those apples, consider donating them to the Apple Sauce Project. Donations of your picked apples are greatly appreciated! You can drop off your picked apples to SIRCH Community Kitchen, 2 Victoria Street, Haliburton (next to the laundromat) on Monday, September 16, 2019, or Thursday, September 19, 2019 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

“Since its inception in 2014, the Apple Sauce Project has made over 4,300 cups of apple sauce, which is roughly 8,600 servings,” said Kate Hall, Public Health Food Worker with Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit. “In the winter months, local seniors can receive the nutritious benefits of fruit from apple sauce.”

The Apple Sauce Project also needs volunteers to assist with picking apples, and making apple sauce.

Volunteers will be picking apples from local orchards on Monday, September 16, 2019 and Tuesday, September 17, 2019. To volunteer as an apple picker, contact Nancy Brownsberger at 705-457-2941 ext 2926.

Volunteers will process the apples into apple sauce on Monday, September 23, 2019 and Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at the SIRCH Community Kitchen, 2 Victoria Street, Haliburton (next to the laundromat). To volunteer as an apple sauce maker, contact Jay McIvor at 705-457-1742.

The Apple Sauce Project is facilitated by community partnerships:

Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit
SIRCH Community Services
Haliburton Highlands Health Services – Community Support Services
Entrée Plus
Haliburton County FoodNet
Local food banks

Celebrate National Thrift Shop Day on Saturday, August 17, 2019

August 13, 2019 Leave a Comment

Each year, August 17 is recognized as National Thrift Shop Day! On this day, we’re all encouraged to donate to—and shop at—local thrift stores.

Throughout the community are numerous non-profit and commercial thrift, antique and collectible stores. SIRCH Community Services operates two Thrift Warehouses: one in Haliburton, the other in Bancroft. Both Thrift Warehouses are filled with furniture, household goods, electronics, and more, all at amazing prices! Visit www.sirch.on.ca/thrift/ to plan your own “treasure trail” road trip of many of the thrift, antique and collectible stores in our community.

“Thrift stores provide a wide range of benefits to our community. They help divert materials away from landfills, which is getting more important as our landfills fill up,” said Gena Robertson, Executive Director of SIRCH Community Services. “The Thrift Warehouse employs five people in Haliburton and four people in Bancroft, which contributes to the local economy. And we can offer an amazing shopping experience because items change daily—we have no idea what’s coming in. Hundreds of items often come in daily. And no two items are the same—you can come back every week and the inventory will be different. We get donations of everything from fine china to sail boats. Electronics, art, furniture, you name it! And we can offer it to the public at a fraction of what you’d pay in a retail store.”

To celebrate National Thrift Shop Day, both Thrift Warehouses will be running special contests on Saturday, August 17, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. People donating items can enter into a draw to win a $50 gift certificate for use at the Thrift Warehouse. And shoppers can enter a similar contest too! Shoppers are encouraged to show their best thrift shop finds by including #thriftshopday and #sirchthrift in their Instagram and Twitter posts!

“The Thrift Warehouse, and other reuse thrift stores are vital contributors to our community,” said Robertson. “On National Thrift Shop Day, give a shout out to all the donors, shoppers, volunteers, and staff that help make the Thrift Warehouses and other reuse thrift stores the successes they are.”

Thrift Warehouse Haliburton is located at 128 Mallard Road, in Haliburton’s Industrial Park. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations are accepted Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.sirch.on.ca/social-enterprises/thrift-haliburton/ or phone 1-844-847-4381 for more information.

Thrift Warehouse Bancroft is located at 141 Hastings Street North, in downtown Bancroft. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations are accepted Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.sirch.on.ca/social-enterprises/thrift-bancroft/ or phone 1-844-847-4382 for more information.

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