MOOSE JAW — Hunger in Moose Jaw has been recognized for its longstanding dedication to children and families in the community, receiving the Impact Award at the Moose Jaw Business Excellence (MJBEX) Gala held earlier this month.
The annual gala celebrates the achievements of local organizations, individuals, and businesses, and was hosted at the Temple Gardens Centre on April 16.
“We are honoured to receive this recognition for the work we do,” said Sharla Sept, executive director of Hunger in Moose Jaw. “We strive to do our best for children and families in Moose Jaw and we are happy to be recognized for this by our community.”
The Impact Award is presented to an organization that has made significant, measurable contributions to improving the lives of residents in Moose Jaw. Sept said the award reflects the commitment of Hunger in Moose Jaw’s team and the meaningful role the organization plays in the city.
“It supports the work that our team does every day,” she said. “We truly believe in supporting children and families and know how that can strengthen a community. Being recognized by our city for making an impact is truly a gift.”
Hunger in Moose Jaw has served the community for more than 30 years. Its Child Nutrition Program currently supports over 460 children, providing lunches to students at schools across the city. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of its Headstart Preschool, which offers free weekday morning classes for children aged three and four.
The organization has also seen strong participation in its Community Kitchen Program, which now includes an online option, and in its Yara Community Gardens project, which has provided hundreds of local families with access to garden plots to grow their own food.
“We’re also pleased to have filled all our garden plots to local Moose Jaw families — this (means) several hundred people (now) experience food security support by growing their own food,” said Sept. “We also had an extremely successful Easter Lunch Bag program, serving 156 children with lunch supplies for the week off.”
Hunger in Moose Jaw’s mission is “to support children and their families through educational and nutritional programming that nurtures their potential.” The organization employs 13 staff, is supported by eight board members, and relies on a dedicated network of volunteers who contribute to programs like the Good Food Box and the Child Nutrition Program.
Looking ahead, the organization is preparing for several key events in 2025, including a renewed participation in the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign from April 28 to May 4, as well as the return of its Fall into Fabric fundraiser and the Pumpkin Harvest Festival in September.
For more information, including details on how to get involved, visit HungerInMooseJaw.org, find “Hunger in Moose Jaw” on Facebook, or call 306-692-1916.
