Harvest to Help the Hungry
How does your garden grow? Within the next few weeks you will likely be celebrating your successes. In most years I encounter lots of gardeners who have more than they can use, and that is the reason for this email.
In a tough economic time, food pantries and soup kitchens have reported major increases in the need for food. They make efforts to get food to those who need it. The increase in need has stretched their resources and they are always looking for new sources. Fresh produce is particularly scarce, and the capacity for storing perishable goods is limited. What I’m hoping is that you will consider donating some of your bounty through these established outlets.
Following is a list of local agencies that serve emergency food needs. None of them has the capacity to arrange for pickup. If you can contribute, you will need to deliver it to them on their schedule. Generally these agencies are short on manpower and have to control their hours of operation. Please make note of their schedules and try to work with them. You can expect a warm welcome. This E Letter is now reaching more than 900 gardeners. Together we can make a difference.
Chatham Out-Reach Alliance (CORA)
40 Camp Street, Pittsboro (from Hwy 87 north of 64)
Go to the second, “employees only” door and ring the bell
Monday and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Take-and-Eat Food Pantry, Evergreen United Methodist Church
11098 US 15-501 (just south of Chatham Crossing shopping plaza)
Come in the main church entrance
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesdays from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
St Julia Catholic Church
210 Harold Hart Road, Siler City (next to the furniture store)
Thursday and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
A few guidelines for handling fresh fruits and vegetables:
alcooke
E Letters are archived at
http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/content/WGEindex and
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/homehort/WhatsGardening/WGEindex.html
Al Cooke
Extension Agent, Horticulture
Chatham County Center
N.C. Cooperative Extension
PO Box 279, Pittsboro, NC 27312
919.542-8202; Fax 919.542.8246
al_cooke@ncsu.edu
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/staff/acooke/home.html