Plant a Row nets 4,332 for the season
When we launched Year Two of Plant a Row for the Hungry in
April, we were wondering just what would happen. We asked gardeners
to plant extra, and share the surplus with Community Pantry in
Hollister. Our plan was to offset the hidden hunger in our
community; our long-range goal was to surpass last year’s total
donations of 1,999 pounds.
Plant a Row nets 4,332 for the season
When we launched Year Two of Plant a Row for the Hungry in April, we were wondering just what would happen. We asked gardeners to plant extra, and share the surplus with Community Pantry in Hollister. Our plan was to offset the hidden hunger in our community; our long-range goal was to surpass last year’s total donations of 1,999 pounds.
Boy, did it ever work! In this, our final week, we are proud to announce the total donations topped 4,332 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables shared with Community Pantry.
“This is huge, just incredible,” says Tom Larkin, Community Pantry director. “Our South Valley gardeners are truly our heroes.
“With the help of our Plant a Row gardeners, we are trying to alleviate some of the hunger that people are experiencing because of these tough times. The increased need from last year is startling. Last year at this time we were doing 566 bags of groceries each week. This year at this time we are doing 775 bags each week, and we are still working with the same budget. So the community support in every way is critical.”
Who are these people in need? Ordinary people like you and me, but having a tougher time right now with jobs hard to find and money tight. Wednesday is the Pantry’s normal distribution day at Veterans Park, along with seniors in San Juan and Aromas in the South Side.
“We distribute at five sites on Wednesday, then on Thursday we do an additional 100 to 150 bags for the people who can’t get to the park or to our other distribution sites. They come in here (at the Pantry) on Thursday and Friday to accommodate all of them,” Larkin said.
There are 2,200 individual families, and 1,000 are children. Quite a few are seniors.
Each person receives brown bags of non-perishable food along with all the fruits and vegetables that are donated to the Pantry.
“It makes a nice, wholesome nutritional bag,” Larkin says.
In addition to Larkin, the Community Pantry staff includes Lourdes Cordova, assistant director; Irene Padilla, office manager; and Carlos Vargas, warehouse manager.
A word about that Plant a Row total: 4,332 pounds is more than double last year’s total. Just think how many tomatoes or how many lemons are in a pound and you can grasp the amazing grace of the dozens and dozens of gardeners, young and old, experienced and not, who took the time to drive to Community Pantry, 30 Airport Ave. in Hollister, with the offerings from their garden.
While this week marks the end of our Plant a Row for the Hungry campaign, it isn’t “ignore your garden” time for gardeners. Community Pantry is open for business – and accepts donations – all year long. If you have citrus or apples on your trees, late tomatoes in your garden, or fall vegetables just ripening, gather them up and take them to the Pantry.
Remember, hunger never goes out of season.
***
A Reader Wants to Know: Do you know when is the right time to plant blueberries?
-Annie D., Aromas.
Joan Says: Although it is said that blueberries can be planted any time, most nurseries in our area stock them in late winter for planting in February. Plant at least two cultivars for best berry production, as they need another type for cross-pollination. Bluecrop is recommended as the best all-around producer in our area, and Ozard Blue is a consistent producer of high-quality fruit. By the way, blueberries thrive under conditions that suit rhododendrons and azaleas and prefer acidic soil.
***
Tip of the Week: Whatever you intend to do about your lawn, do it now. Whether you are going to start a new lawn from seed, or put down sod, or merely over-seed a worn lawn, this is the best time of the year to do so.
