Werner (Vern) Toews who helped set up the Ontario Greenhouse Growers marketing board and the Southwestern Ontario Gleaners has died at age 86.
“Vern had a passion for helping others. His contributions to the SWO Gleaners are immeasurable and will be greatly missed,” the organization said.
Toews first became active in the community as a long-time member of the Leamington United Mennonite Church.
He became a youth leader and worked with the General Conference of Youth. He also taught Sunday school for 30 years in Canada and the U.S.
He helped organize the local Gleaners in 2013, served on its board three times and as chairman.
Toews was also instrumental in creating the Leamington Food Hub in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Food Hub supplies 25,000 servings per day to hungry people, and is the only charity supplying fresh produce to First Nations.
He said the Food Hub is the most meaningful thing he did and hopes it will continue to thrive and impact the lives of those in need.
