Contributed
Okanagan Gleaners would like to share who they are and what they do with locals and visitors on Saturday, Sept. 16.
The Gleaners are preparing to host a family-friendly Fall Fair and open house at its production facility among the orchards in Oliver.
This rain-or-shine event will take place between noon and 4 pm at 507 No. 3 Road, off Highway 97 just south of Oliver. Everyone is welcome and entrance is by donation.
Highlights of the fair include live music, food and beverages, a silent auction, plant tours, children’s activities and an opportunity to sample the Gleaners soup mix which is sent around the world to help feed the hungry.
“Even though Gleaners has been in operation for more than 20 years, there are still many people in the South Okanagan who don’t know about the organization and what we do,” says Dianne Knight, one of the event coordinators.
“The Fall Fair and open house is an invitation to locals and visitors to come out and enjoy an afternoon with us in Oliver – to see what we do but also to have some fun. And, of course, we hope to see many of our incredible supporters and volunteers with their friends and families at the festivities.”
Live music will be provided by Kendra and Mataya from 12:15 to 1:15 pm (clarinet and guitar), followed by Hellard and Hirt from 1:30 to 3:30 pm (vocals, guitar, bass and violin), who perform at several wineries throughout the region.
The silent auction features something for everyone, with almost 40 themed gift baskets and gift certificates from many South Okanagan businesses, restaurants, winery bistros, golf courses and even a ski resort. Upcoming events in the Oliver area are also represented.
Children’s activities include face painting, wooden boat and plane building, apron and tote bag decoration, a fish pond for the little ones, and a scavenger hunt to discover all of the clues hidden around the property.
Guided tours offered by plant manager, Greg Masson, are always fun and informative, with the chance to see “Ruth,” the giant new food dryer which has vastly increased production at the facility in 2017.
Food options at the Fall Fair include inexpensive grilled hot dogs, popcorn, ice cream treats, non-alcoholic beverages and the Oliver fish-and-chip truck.
Okanagan Gleaners Society is a non-profit Christian organization that uses surplus produce donated from local growers to create a nutritious dehydrated soup mix. The soup is packaged and sent abroad with the help of trusted humanitarian aid organizations.
