'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
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Police clear intersection of pro-Palestinian protesters on UBC campus
Police have moved on pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver, with video on social media showing lines of officers advancing on demonstrators rallying at a main intersection.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
'Bigger and better and stronger than ever': Covered Bridge Chips president sets sights for late 2025 rebuild after fire
The president of Covered Bridge Chips in New Brunswick is hoping to have his factory rebuilt for late 2025 following a devastating fire last year.
How Trump's hush money trial verdict could affect the 2024 election
Here is how three potential outcomes from the jury room ─ a guilty verdict, an acquittal or a hung jury ─ could affect the presidential campaign.