We would like to join this fight to end hunger in our community by both creating a new congregational giving garden at a member's property, as well as by encouraging a home giving garden army to aid us in this effort. We are just getting started.
How can you help? Join us. Reach out to Jennifer Haratsaris to be part of the team working the congregational 20'x40' plot at Ann's property. Or find a spot in your yard, planter boxes or containers to "grow a row" or two to share with our community this summer and fall. The fruits of our labor will be donated through The Round Pantry at Westview and through Grow and Give outlets this summer and fall.
We will be joining a larger "food growing army" in our community organized through the Grow and Give CSU Extension project. According to the CSU Extension, "this modern Victory Garden idea is designed for
citizens to grow vegetable gardens and plant extra to share with local food
banks and community members in need. Historically, victory
gardens were planted on public and private land during World War I and World
War II to reduce pressure on the public food supply. Roughly 40% of the U.S.
vegetables grown in those years came from 20 million victory gardens." As we work together, we will learn how to grow food with sustainable practices, caring for bees, our soil and water supply while working to feed our neighbor and ourselves with a low carbon footprint.
HOW TO DONATE?
You do not need to wash your produce (just remove obvious dirt clumps), but please read these guidelines for Keeping Your Produce Safe for Donation.
There are several options for donating your produce:
We will start accepting the donations June 20 through the end of harvest season. Harvest your produce and bring your "offering" with you to Sunday's service. Place your fruit/vegetable donation in the baskets on the Giving Garden table located in the Overflow Room. Your donation will be weighed and then shared with The Round Pantry, The OUR Center or HOPE for Longmont on Monday morning. We will NOT be taking produce mid-week in the church office as we do not want it to sit around and spoil in the building. Thank you for your understanding.
Or find your own Grow and Give donation site in Longmont at this link and give whenever it is convenient for you. There are several outlets available in Longmont and other locations in Boulder County. Print this donation label to include with your donation. Please weigh your donation and share that information with Jennifer each time you donate. A bathroom scale works well for weighing at home.
Thank you!
