Farmworkers BBQ supports hundreds every week

Co-organizers of the weekly Farmworkers BBQ in Simcoe, from The Huron Farmworkers Ministry and The Neighbourhood Organization, are from left Jennifer Rajasekar (TNO), Nalini Pandalangat (TNO), Father Enrique Martinez (Huron Migrant Workers Ministry) and Ricardo Celis (HMWM).

Chris Abbott

Editor

This year’s weekly Farmworkers BBQ in Simcoe, which kicked off in May, has expanded.

Held Thursdays and Fridays in the Trinity Anglican Church hall, hundreds of farmworkers enjoy a free burger meal, socialize, and have access to clothing, gift cards, local services.

“We try to bring in everyone, the migrant workers, who wants to participate. Mainly it’s organized by The Huron Farmworkers Ministry and TNO (The Neighbourhood Organization, but this year, also mental health and other groups want to join in with that adventure,” said Father Enrique Martinez.

“Usually in a week we have Thursday 300 and Friday 300.”

On May 8, the second Friday BBQ, the numbers were increasing, but not yet at peak level.

“This is also kind of a seasonal event,” said Jennifer Rajasekar, The Neighbourhood Organization, which is located in the mall near Giant Tiger. “We are welcoming them, reassure them, show them the resources are here… just a gentle reminder that if you need any support while you are here, don’t forget that we (TNO) are also here.

“It’s a warm welcome in a time, away from their family, when they are going to feel the stress more. This breaks the ice, and supports them in that sense also. This is a second home for them when they are here for the next eight months, six months, whatever the time is. So it gives them that comfort, people they know, knowing they can trust and come in and talk to them about whatever challenges they might be facing.” The first two weeks are always the most challenging, said Rajasekar.

At the end of the season, there will an appreciation BBQ - appreciation for all of their hard work, late in November.

“The thing we are doing now is trying to make a relation with the workers AND the farmers,” said Martinez. “And through that relation, farmers and workers contact us, not only when they have problems, but for events. That’s what we do. “Also now, we go to the farmers. Last week we went to a farm (Sandy Shores) to see the workers, so they don’t always have to come here. We have already had a couple more farmers who want us go to their farms.”

At that first visit, they met farmworkers just off the plane. Hungry, in some cases, and sometimes lacking warmer clothes.

“It’s summer in Mexico, but it was 5 degrees here. They don’t realize that. And that’s what we do. We try to make their life a little bit easier.”

“We give them a welcome bag – it has towel, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush, a pair socks, working gloves, safety glasses…” said Rajasekar. “We talk about their rights and responsibilities while they are here, and how to keep themselves safe.

“Some come with one suitcase for eight months, so how much can they bring?”