Plant a row for the Hungry

Dear Neighbors,

Many people haven't heard of this program. It was started by the Garden Writers of America. They get no profit or anything from it, they just encourage everyone who has a vegetable garden to plant a little extra and take it to their local food pantry. Very few food pantries get fresh produce at all, and as far as home-grown, fresh picked, forget it!

Do your good deed for the day by sowing a little extra, or taking a little of your harvest to your local food pantry. The good feeling inside will help offset the little hunger in your belly :)

Our local food pantry especially is grateful for any fresh herbs. These are incorporated into the kitchens that prepare meals for the elderly, children, etc. to help provide the extra vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidents, etc. that too often are missing from packaged foods. Maybe your local food pantry would also appreciate some. Just make sure you label the herbs, especially if they are dried.

Kathy

I've heard of it Kathy!!! Wonderful program, and all the kids here are told about it at school. I love to see their interest and enthusiam in this program!!!

"eyes"

I hope you will participate this year! Do you help in the schools? Another great way to get new converts to gardening! Many local elementary teachers are starting gardening projects with their classes, as a way to incorporate many disciplines: reading, counting, science, history, etc. Most welcome any experienced gardeners for their help.

Lupine I always plant more than I need and give it to the food bank here. They have a huge warehouse where they store fresh food as well as can goods and give it to homeless and anyone who is hungry. I also take fresh vegetables to the Meals On Wheels program, until last year when they stop taking fresh vegetables from private citizens. I guess it's because of all the things that have been going on in our country.

WS, HI! I didn't know we shared a hometown (kind of :)

I also didn't know Meals on Wheels stopped (or even started) taking fresh produce. I always heard that they got theirs from the Mid-Ohio Food Pantry. Most of the time that is where I take mine. Sometimes when I call to make sure they are open, they want to take my picture! Usually give them a child presenting the food for the photo op! There is also a food pantry in Grove City that accepts donations -- including fresh produce. That is kept inside town, but they use it for the same types of programs: elderly, children, etc.

I stumbled on it one year when I was trying to find out more about plant a row for the hungry. I called meals on wheels and ask if they could use the vegetables and they said yes, so I gave them. I tried last year and they told me that they wouldn't take them but I could give them to the warehouse down the street from them.
The location of the food bank warehouse is on W. Mound St, going west from Central Point Shopping Center, it is the one with the large fence just pass the railroad tracks. Now as many times as I have been there they have never ask to take my picture but did offer fruit bars. I couldn't take them, I feel like a little kid somewhere might need them more than I. I use to work as an in home health care giver and the family that I was taken care of liked fresh veggies and fruit, so I thought if they could give a tomato or two at lunch time it would make a small difference.
My mother always shared her vegetables with the neighbors so I am just doing what mom did.
Oh by the way it's nice to know that we're almost neighbors, I was out your way a few weeks ago checking on K-marts plants.