Plant-a-Row for the hungry

 


The Wahkiakum County Extension Office would like to introduce a new initiative this year in partnership with the Wahkiakum County Hunger Relief Task Force to encourage home gardeners, farmers and 4-H members to Plant-a-Row for the hungry this growing season.

A recent survey by statewide hunger partners Northwest Harvest identified many gaps in access to nutritious fruits and vegetables for low income individuals. Fresh fruit and vegetables are often expensive and difficult to source for families on a limited or no income. The local food banks need the community’s help to serve clients with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Simply add a row for the hungry this year during your rotational planting and if you get a bumper crop remember your local food bank or food pantry. You can deliver it directly to the food banks, and it makes a big difference. Volunteers at the community garden raised nearly 2,000 pounds of produce last year for a local food bank.

If you do not to grow your own garden you can still help, consider picking up an extra box of fruit or vegetables when you shop to donate to the food banks. Clean, healthy produce is a welcome addition at food banks. Families with children often increase their needs as children are not getting school meals over the summer months.

The Hunger Relief Task Force is a group lead by County Commissioner Mike Backman in partnership with local food banks and services that work with families in need. The goal is to prevent hunger in Wahkiakum County by exploring ways to increase access to food in our area. The Hunger Relief task force identified the needs that led the formation of the GAP Program for school children, West End Food Pantry in Rosburg, and the Wahkiakum Planned Protein Program which is made up of local farmers who are adding an extra cow, pig, or chicken to their herd to donate this fall to the food banks.

Donation times are 1/2 hour before opening for local food pantries. Local food bank hours and locations are as follows:

· Helping Hand at Seventh-day Adventist Church, 3 Fern Hill Rd., Cathlamet. Open Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

· St. Catherine/St. Vincent de Paul, 400 Columbia St., Cathlamet. Open first and third Wednesdays of each month, 9 a.m. to noon.

· Wahkiakum Food Bank, 42 Elochoman Valley Rd., Cathlamet. Open Tuesdays 3-5 p.m.

· West End Food Pantry, Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park, Rosburg. Open Thursdays 1-5 p.m.

For more information contact Suzie Whalen at WSU Extension Wahkiakum 360-795-3278.

 

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