'Sunflowers under the sun': Local farmers use sunflower patch for charitable cause
A couple in Thamesford, Ont. are opening up their farm to sunflower lovers in an effort to raise money for a cause close to their heart.
Sunflowers are in bloom at Alex and Florence Steele’s farm on 19th Line, where they’ve spent the last 50 years.
“We’ve grown just about every crop under the sun and now sunflowers under the sun,” chuckled Alex Steele, who owns the farm with his wife, Florence.
“Anyway, we are going to give this a go,” he said. “We’re happy the way they turned out.”
Now they’re inviting people to stop by and see the sunflowers for themselves, while trying to fundraise for people struggling with food insecurity.
“We hear about other countries and they only have a small patch of food and this is how they feed their families,” added Florence. “I just thought, ‘Hmm…we have this. We can do something,’ and we did.”
“They’ve always been big supporters of Canadian Foodgrains Bank so this was a way that they could raise some funds for our organization,” said Henry Reinders, the regional representative for Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
He added, “They’re in the process now of setting things up to either have people come and pick their own sunflowers or perhaps take some pictures with the sunflowers.”
The organization and its members work to alleviate hunger in countries across the globe, Reinders explained, as the need for access to affordable food continues to increase.
“In part because of war and conflict, there’s more of that which seems to be happening, people get displaced for their homes and land and so they have to find sources of food,” he said.
The Steeles said they don’t currently have a fundraising goal, but they would appreciate anyone able to donate.
The farm will be open for visitors from Wednesday - Saturday from 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
If successful, they’re considering making the fundraiser an annual event.
“This year we decided this is such a good area we are going to try something new, and next year it will probably be bigger and better,” Alex said.
People interested in donating can do so in person at the farm or donate on the Canadian Foodgrains Bank website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.