The Skeena Valley Men's Shed Society has only come to fruition in the past year, but they already have a few projects under their belts. Newly added to the skills profile is fruit picking and pie baking.
At a fundraising event Tuesday, the Men's Shed teamed up with the "Food out Front" program run by the Terrace Heartbeat Society. Denise Gagnon directs the Food out Front program.
"We are fundraising to help people to reduce any barriers to gardening, and to produce more local food. And that's pretty abundant. So we're really advocates about bringing gardens, and really to help strengthen the community and neighborhoods as well. And so we invited the Men's Shed to come, and they were so generous to come and help out."
The event was called the "Good Days" Fuel Fundraiser at the Co-Op Gas Bar. In addition to 10¢ per litre per fill going to the Skeena Heartbeat Society, their "Food out Front" Program was fundraising with burger sales. The Men's Shed contributed by washing windshields, pumping gas, and selling their home baked apple pies. President of the Men's Shed Bradley Pretty says the prep was a group effort;
"[the apples were] locally sourced from one of our members, and he peeled and got them all prepped, and yesterday at the K'san place, we baked eighteen pies."
Pretty says the group is always looking for new volunteers and new projects.
"We just finished a project for the Garage space, we built nine raised garden beds. And now with baking the pies at K'san place, now we're going to help out at K'san place with the compost setup, they want a new setup, so we're going to help them out with that."
The group however is looking for a new space, as while Pretty says they have been very kindly leant the space at Garage, the location is already quite full, and the Men's Shed is seeking a more permanent space to better suit their needs.
The Men's shed currently meets every Tuesday at 10am at the Garage, 3504 Kalum st. in Terrace, and encourages potential new members to drop by. More information can be found here: https://bcmensshed.ca/skeena-valley-mens-shed
