Thanks to amazing volunteers and produce donors, the Southwestern Ontario Gleaners has surpassed the 5 million servings processed and distributed mark for the first time.

Close to 5.5 million servings of dried vegetable soup mix will be distributed in 2024. Over 28 million servings have been distributed since production began in 2014.

The Southwestern Ontario Gleaners is a registered charity that rescues unmarketable produce and dehydrates it to make a dried vegetable soup mix.

This mix is then distributed to local organizations like food banks or soup kitchens, or to international aid agencies for distribution in Africa, Central America or Ukraine.

Thousands of recipients benefit from the nutritious product. Over 1 million servings of dried soup mix has been donated to local and Southwestern Ontario organizations for distribution.

An increase in volunteers in 2024 and quality, donated produce are the two main factors that account for this increase in production.

Close to 1 million lbs of fresh vegetables are donated each year. Including group outings, along with our regular volunteers, over 400 different persons will have volunteered at least once at the Gleaners this year.

On average, 25 people come each weekday morning to volunteer. There is always room for more.

Partnerships with local farmers and food processors, volunteers, financial donors and distribution partners is key to the ongoing work of the SWO Gleaners.

The need for our product is ever growing. It has been a tough few years for so many people.

Please consider donating to our Christmas Campaign that goes directly to the work of providing nutritious vegetable soup mix to people in need.

To donate visit our website www.swogleaners.ca or E-transfer to swogleaners@gmail.com.

We wish all of our past, current and future supporters a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!