Times are tough and many people are struggling with the high cost of everything. While there is no silver bullet to fix these problems, we try to help where we can. From free food to subsidized transportation, we have tools to lessen the impact, but our ability to offer these is dependent on the funds we have available for programs.
There are a few ways that you can help us go further with these efforts. Donations are an important part of the puzzle – they give us the flexibility to run popular programs more than our funding would allow. Any donations over $20 qualify for a charitable tax receipt. We’re also happy to provide a laminated picture recognizing the donation that can be slipped into a stocking or a card.
For those community-minded businesses or organizations, consider making us your charity of choice! In the past, groups have held golf tournaments, community clean ups, and dinner theatres to raise funds for us.
Giving Tuesday is November 29th. Enjoy the deals on Black Friday, but save a little for the charities in your community so we can help even more people throughout the winter.
Interested in donating? You can give in the following ways:
Canada Gives: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/19070?v1=true
e-transfer: ehcrdispatch@gmail.com
(please make the answer to the password “elmsdale“)
Drop by our office with cash or cheque – Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Last Call!
Harvest Dinner
Sunday, November 6th
It’s almost here! Our 4th annual Harvest Dinner will be happening on Sunday, November 6th from 1 – 5 p.m. We will continue to hold this as a drive-thru style event, with attendees picking up their meals at the front door of our building. As before, we’ll be partnering with Cup of Soul Café to bring you a delicious three-course meal made with local ingredients.
Tickets are $10 each. We have also opened up the option of delivery for those that are unable to pick up a meal. Deliveries will happen between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. (any time within that time period).
You can register via our website: easthantslearning.com/harvest-dinner-4/. Please note that registration is by time slot (15-20 meals per slot). Because of this, certain time slots may fill up quickly and be taken down. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Thanks to everyone in our community for supporting this celebration of the garden and our community!
Looking to build your network? Chat with others over a cup of coffee? The East Hants & Districts Chamber of Commerce has an event for you!
Come out the first Wednesday of each month (today!) to Cup of Soul Café between 8 – 9 a.m. It’s a great chance to get out, meet new people and find out more about what’s going on in the community. Everyone is welcome!
For more info about the chamber, it’s programs and services:
Weaving is one of those traditional arts that is going through a renaissance. Rather than put in an online order, why not learn how to make something with your own two hands and preserve a history of hand-made crafts? Plus it makes for a great activity while watching your favourite series.
This workshop will be on Wednesdays evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. for the next 3 weeks at our office (224 Highway 214 in Elmsdale).
As the weather gets cooler, it’s important to get prepared for the seasons ahead. The Community Offering Assistance Together Association (C.O.A.T) is collecting a range of supplies to help out individuals and families get ready for winter in Nova Scotia. Winter coats and snow suits are still very much needed. If you have a spare coat to give, it could make someone’s winter a whole lot warmer.Coats can be dropped off at:
Lenos Stop Shop or John MacDonalds office in the Elmsdale area
The Mt. Uniacke Fire Hall or Library
Anyone in need of winter wear items, or looking to donate winter wear items, can contact C.O.A.T.:
phone: 902-221-3396
email: coatassociation@gmail.com
Struggling with the Cost of
Transportation?
The price of transportation isn’t getting any cheaper and we’re getting more calls all the time from folks looking to save on getting from point A to B.
To assist low-income passengers, we have received funding to bring back the Fare Assistance Program. Passengers will be offered to apply for the subsidy if they identify as low income:
An individual making less than $24,000 per year
A family of 2 making a combined income of less than $30,877 per year
A family of 3 making a combined income of less than $37,816 per year
A family of 4 or more making a combined income of less than $43,666 per year
Passengers will be eligible for one (1) day of subsidized transportation weekly to a monthly maximum of $300
EXCEPTION: Medical transportation for dialysis or frequent medical appointments, ie. cancer treatments
Here is a breakdown of regions and costs:
Regions
Cost per person
Trips under 12 km
$5
Trips between 12 – 25 km
$10
Trips over 25 km
50% of
regular fare
For a full list of details, check out the information page on the Community Rider website.
If you know someone that struggles to afford the cost of transportation, get in touch with the Community Rider at:
One of the biggest challenges of cooking is to keep things fresh and interesting. We all have our favourites, but there’s a world of food out there. For each month, I will share an interesting recipe from somewhere around the world. I hope you will try it out.
This month’s recipe: Bobotie
Country of Origin: South Africa
Are you a fan of meatloaf? There’s a version from South Africa that is sure to interest you. It has a sweet curry flavour and is glazed with a milk and egg custard on the top. Just the sort of dish to shake things up and try something new. Tastes great on its own or serve it with rice and veggies.
We have one more recipe to share before 2023 arrives! Any suggestions for the bottom of the newsletter? I’m always looking for new ideas!Ingredients (serves 6):
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 medium onions, minced
1 ½ pounds ground beef
1 cup milk
2 slices Texas toast thick-sliced bread
½ cup raisins
1 tablespoon hot chutney
½ tablespoon curry powder
1 teaspoon apricot jam
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large egg
1 pinch salt
1 bay leaf
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook onions in hot oil until soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Crumble ground beef into the skillet; cook and stir until brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
Pour milk in a shallow dish. Soak bread in milk. Squeeze excess milk from bread and set milk aside.
Add bread to beef mixture. Stir in raisins, chutney, curry powder, apricot jam, salt, and black pepper. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
Whisk together reserved milk, egg, and a pinch of salt. Pour over top of beef mixture. Lay bay leaf on top of milk mixture.
Continue baking until top is golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving.
Share your pictures with us and we’ll have another recipe for you to try next month. Enjoy!
