Did you know that the Ranchlands Community Association was established in 1979?
For forty-four years, the RCA has worked to promote community spirit, strengthen neighbourly relationships, and offer events to our residents. While things have definitely evolved and changed in Ranchlands over the years, the RCA has always been a cornerstone of the community.
Over the last few years, the RCA has been in a state of flux, working hard to adjust and re-center our efforts to best support the community, slowly shifting from a social/recreational objective to a more supportive direction for our residents, so I wanted to take this month’s Roundup article as an opportunity to tell the community about the different endeavors we have been focusing on this year.
As you probably know, we launched the Ranchlands Food Pantry a few years ago, which has recently expanded to include “Free Bread Friday”. Thanks to a generous partner, we have loaves of bread and other bread products available for residents to come and pick up on Fridays while supplies last. Pickup begins at 10:00 am and is limited to three items per person.
Last year, we broke ground on the Ranchlands Edible Forest, for which expansion plans are already being designed. Twelve fruit trees (apple, cherry, and plum) were planted in the area just south of the basketball court and once established and producing, they will be open for residents to harvest fruit from. Future plans include the addition of more trees, raised beds for perennial herbs and vegetables, and a fence to protect the plants from animals.
This month, we are hosting our first ever clothing swap, aimed at children six and up, to help our residents not only clean out their closets of outgrown clothes, but also to offer an opportunity for some back-to-school shopping without the cost.
Then next month, we will be holding a baby swap for baby clothes, blankets, bibs, and more.
The kids clothing swap is taking place Saturday, August 12 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Then the baby swap is on Saturday, September 16 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
We are still accepting donations of gently used and clean clothes for both these events. They can be dropped off at the hall Monday to Friday, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm or Wednesdays from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. We are also accepting donations of clean reusable grocery bags for these events.
Anita Raffaele
President
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