Ep 152 Holiday Survival Guide 2020
A Conversation with Melissa Secord, Executive Director of the Canadian Celiac Association.
Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –
It’s December and that means the arrival of the Holiday Survival Guide from the The Canadian Celiac Association. On this episode I speak with Melissa Secord, Executive Director of the CCA about the guide, including some special covid related content. It’s a year like no other, we will all have to be content with smaller gatherings, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make those times special with traditional baking and giving. Covid has taken a toll on a significant portion of our population, which we must remember and assist at this difficult time. One initiative of the CCA is a program to identify gluten free donations to foods banks, so they can be saved for those requiring gluten free. This year is very different, and the CCA has given us lots of ways to make it special. You can find the guide on the CCA website at www.celiac.ca.
Melissa also talked about a peer support desk that will be monitored during the month of December, and is prepared to answer questions to help those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity cope during the holidays. You can reach the support desk at (905) 507-6208 ext 224 or toll free at 1-800-363-7296 or by email at askthecca@celiac.ca.
Sue’s Websites and Social Media –
Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com
Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com
Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast
Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA
Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com
Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com
Instagram – @suesgfbaking
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL
Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com
Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com
My Thoughts –
We all want to do our part to help; help fellow celiacs, help those less fortunate, help those who are not in a position to help themselves. This year has shown a great uptake in the need for foodbanks. I was saddened to see the news reports in March of food banks being overwhelmed. On my first grocery shop in March (my husband and I alternated once weekly trips), I decided to spend a certain amount each shopping week to buy donations to the local food bank. My choices were baby foods, as gluten free was too complicated and the food banks had enough to worry about.
For years, many of the volunteers at food banks were older, retired people, looking to give back, once they had more time to do so. Those volunteers are now being told to stay home. Society in general is asked to stay home, shop less often, don’t attend gatherings and keep to their small family circles.
Foodbanks are feeling the squeeze, less donations, more demand and fewer volunteers. Involvement with food banks has been something our local celiac chapter has struggled with for quite a few years. Normally our Christmas get-together happened at a local restaurant and attendees were asked to bring a gluten free donation to the food bank. Everyone was generous. Once the donations were collected, someone offered to deliver them to the local food bank and ensure they understood this food was gluten free and should be reserved for those who need it. Once we left the food, it was out of our hands, we could only hope the food bank had the resources to keep it separate, and get it to where it was needed most. An imperfect system at best.
I suppose that’s why I was so excited to talk with Melissa about the “Save Me for Gluten Free” campaign to help food banks get gluten free donations into the hands of those who need them. This solves the problem. It will take some buy in from the food banks, and some education with volunteers, but for the most part, we, as celiacs, have done the work to provide others who require gluten free with the food they need. It’s a simple solution that allows food banks to do what we all want them to – provide nutritious food for anyone who is lacking in it. I’d like to see this program expanded and encouraged throughout the year. After we finished recording, I shared my thoughts about this with Melissa. We are both keeping our fingers crossed that this simple idea will solve a growing problem. I encourage you to donate gluten free and attach a “Save Me for Gluten Free” symbol to bag with the donation. Simple and hopefully effective.