KPC Buddhist Relief E-Zine November 2024 Number 1 | Page 9

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

All about Our Eggs

BR volunteer Noreen Teoh is a person with a gift for making things happen and bringing people together . She does it with her warmth , intelligence and a fierce determination to help those in need . Her work with the Upcounty HUB is especially gratifying , understanding that through Buddhist Relief the HUB now has a Choice Pantry . It has made a big difference with culturally appropriate and much appreciated produce and foods — delivered weekly and available to the families they serve . Recently at the Upcounty Hub ’ s four year Anniversary Gala , KPC Buddhist Relief received the Community Hub Hero award , in no small part due to Noreen ’ s efforts .
Early on Noreen demonstrated an altruistic bent as a young pharmacist feeding premature babies with total parenteral nutrition ( with an IV outside the digestive track ), advocating for policies to prioritize cancer pain relief , and other palliative care . Decades ago she also participated in global efforts to end hunger . Writer of peer reviewed articles on food security , gender inequity in women ’ s health , Noreen has lived in four countries , traveled extensively to over 40 countries , hails from Burma ( Myanmar ), speaks multiple languages and has been a practicing Buddhist and member of KPC for over 30 years .
If you take a stroll behind KPC ’ s temple you no doubt will hear a cacophony of birds talking and squawking . The loudest vocalizations come from the Garuda Aviary , a forever home to more than 50 rescued parrots that were neglected , abused or abandoned . A second lively flock of chickens , turkeys and geese live here as well . They provide a continuous source of beautiful eggs that are offered to our local food relief partners as well as sold to visitors when extra dozens are available .
Eggs come in all shapes , sizes and colors depending on the bird and the breed . At KPC we have 90 chickens . There are heritage breeds like Rhode Island Reds and Barred Plymouth Rocks , Favorelles , Ameraucana , both buff and lavendar Orpingtons , black Australorps , Silkies , and even some homegrown mutts .
Our turkeys are very vocal . The two big male gobblers can generally be found wandering around together like big shots making a fair amount of noise . The four females are Royal Palms and Bourbon Reds and they lay gorgeous large white eggs with brown speckles . They are bigger than chickens eggs and a rarer commodity in the flock .
Lastly , we have a quiet white goose named Buddy and a sassy grey goose named Sissy . They lay eggs every other day in season ... and they are BIG — easily a meal for two people ! The geese are charming and keep calm watch over things .
Eggs are picked up every morning from a number of hutches by volunteers , who feed the flock fresh greens , canned fish and a variety of seeds and grains for a healthy diet . They also maintain the large areas where the birds freely roam . The eggs are washed , refrigerated and made ready for our food pantry partners around the County .
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