Feeding the multitudes

The Gospel of John reports that Jesus fed the multitudes with five loaves and two fish. We have all been told of that miracle, but is it relevant in our current time?

The congregation of St Clare’s Anglican Church thinks that it may be. Our church in Winchester, Ontario, south of Ottawa, has a three-acre parcel of land next to the building that has been planted in crops each year in support of the Canada Food Grains Bank (CFGB). The bank reports that 828 million people experience hunger on a daily basis.

Our three-acre parcel was planted in corn in the spring by volunteer farmers, seed, fertilizer and other inputs were donated by local industry and the harvest was done at the end of November by another local farmer.

The yield was recorded as 14 tonnes and by my calculations, which are mere guestimates, that would provide upwards of 628,000 meals.

Fourteen tonnes equals 31,240 pounds of corn. If corn is ground to flour, then each pound will produce approximately four corn tortillas for a total of 125,680 meals. The wonder of the Food Grains bank is that they have industry and government agencies that match the production by four times. So according to my math, that means our 3 acres provided food for 628,400 meals.

We can feed the multitudes! Are you doing your part?  You can help by donating to the Canadian Food Grains Bank at www.foodgrainsbank.ca

— Bob Weagant is a member of St Clare’s Church, Winchester, Ontario.