General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCan I ask a favor of those who have the room to garden in their yard..
or even grow herbs in their windows..
Keep the food pantries in mind.. we try and volunteer once a month to repackage donated food. We do grow a fairly large garden and put part of it in for the pantry..
But even if you are in an apt, you can grow basil, thyme herbs of all kinds for people to use..
I am sure some pantries in the time of COVID may have issues with fresh foods..but give them a call.. and if they do, when you pick up those three cans of tomatoes for your menu this week.. pick up one for the pantry.. when you get two boxes of mac and cheese for the kids, pick up one for the pantry.
Make them part of your family. Remember the kids when the weather turns with new mittens and hats.. those of us who knit and crochet hats and gloves for our kids and grand-kids, do not forget your kids who come to the pantry.
We are all that one family..
Grasswire2
(13,571 posts)...and that saddens me deeply.
There are many ways to support food for children and families. One organization is No Kid Hungry. It began with chefs. It's now a charitable organization that accepts $$ donations to get food to children.
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,836 posts)planted mostly native shrubs, plants and flowers, but except for one small area in the front yard there isn't enough sun to grow any significant amount of vegetables or herbs. I've got a couple of cherry tomato plants in pots and a little lettuce but that's about it - except for an experiment with a large container of beets and a couple of zucchini plants. Those can be prolific, and if they are, I'll give the crop to a food shelf rather than leave them on people's doorsteps after dark.
This year it was very difficult to buy garden plants and vegetables, or even seeds, from garden centers or even on-line. I ordered a packet of seeds from Amazon, and it took more than a month to arrive. When they finally did, the return address was Kyrgyzstan. Apparently Amazon couldn't get beet seeds in the United States.
One thing I do have is a lot of winter clothes I don't need, and those will definitely be given to those who need them. In this climate people really do need warm clothes.
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,836 posts)but adults need them too.
Ohiogal
(32,060 posts)We had a bumper crop of cucumbers. Way too many to eat, and we couldnt even give them away. We took them down to the Second Harvest Food bank, not once, but twice. They were so happy to get them, and it felt good to donate healthy home grown produce. So, now every year we make sure that we grow enough in the garden to take them something every year. Last year it was green beans.
Here is my dog Sophie checking out the cucumbers.
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)We had so many tomatoes last year (we also shared with the neighbors) and took at least 20 pounds to the pantry. Yep they were happy to get them.. There is nothing better than fresh produce from the garden.. the flavor is so much richer because we can keep them in the garden till they are ripe..
Ohiogal
(32,060 posts)I bet your food pantrys patrons really enjoyed them!
CrispyQ
(36,509 posts)Two of them were gardeners and one lived by a river and one by a lake and they started a tomato competition, each claiming that the water they used was superior. It quickly turned into a weekly luncheon on Friday where everyone in the department brought something for sandwich makings and those two brought the tomatoes and the rest of us voted, river or lake.
I remember those being some of the best sandwiches ever.
klook
(12,165 posts)has its good points.
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)stillcool
(32,626 posts)a good nap-buddy.
Ohiogal
(32,060 posts)KY_EnviroGuy
(14,494 posts)who does grow a sizable vegetable garden.
As I'm able, I'll continue to contribute to Feeding America charity.
Great idea and thanks for posting.......
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)so many who have had their jobs go away .
leftieNanner
(15,149 posts)Only money. They do not want to take the risk of any contamination of anything. So, before anybody does this, be sure to call the food bank/pantry to see if they are accepting donations.
Excellent idea, though.
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,836 posts)because they don't have refrigeration for it. Right now money donations are probably appreciated more than anything.
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,145 posts)We have a 10' x 20' garden at the college up the street from us. It's closed of course, but our garden grows spectacularly this spring. Normally there is a pantry there, but I've been leaving veggies for our neighbors. A pantry at the church is gonna get some mighty fine squash.
Thanks again. And here are photos that make me a happy gardener...
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)TalenaGor
(1,104 posts)I hadnt even considered if there would be excess but I will definitely take things to the food bank now <3
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)AirmensMom
(14,648 posts)grow like weeds in my garden. Really? They'd want that?
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)they so are so blasted expensive at the store many people are leery of even trying them.. and they can add such great flavor..
AirmensMom
(14,648 posts)A little bunch of mint costs almost $3 here, so we don't make any recipes that call for it unless it's growing. I'll have to pick some bunches for them. Thanks!
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,145 posts)I'll never ever remove it. Just cut it back. Same with Oregano, eggplant and a really weird species of squash. I'm going there now and will take a photo for Guess The Variety!
SleeplessinSoCal
(9,145 posts)This sprouted up after I planted Butternut Squash and Zucchini last year. Little green leaves turned into a sprawling plant. I dug up about a 1/4 of it and planted it in a pretty neglected plot next to ours. The 2nd photo is the result.
Response to SleeplessinSoCal (Reply #36)
SleeplessinSoCal This message was self-deleted by its author.
Mersky
(4,986 posts)However, note taken about the knitting. My housemate is trying to get me into knitting, and your suggestion makes the whole idea more, eh, interesting to me.
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)It can get a little cold in Iowa..
BittyJenkins
(411 posts)because we have land, sun, garden boxes and we bought fine dirt and steer manure.
Our garden just started producing tons of zucchini and will have tons of tomatoes...so far any overflow is going to our children and their children... but we are planning on trips to our local food pantries.
We are figuring making more garden boxes so most of the produce can go to food pantries.
These are scary times and we need to care for each other.
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)Some pantries are not.. and may not this summer.. church pantries are taking fresh produce.. yep. when we embrace as the family we should be.. we keep each other going till the times gets easier..
BittyJenkins
(411 posts)There are lots of amazing pantries in our local area. I want to plant what they need.
wiggs
(7,817 posts)starts, seeds, tools, cuttings, etc to those gardening in need areas. Volunteer.
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)wiggs
(7,817 posts)maintain it 2 or 3 times per week. Open to all, all the time.
Demsrule86
(68,667 posts)Peace, you are a wonderful person! K&R
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)and realize we have the best chance of my lifetime to actually embrace the welfare of everyone, not by charity, but by acknowledging we are one family, and each of us can give a little to make sure we all are cared for.
wiggs
(7,817 posts)optimistic about change, safety nets of all kinds, and sustainable sharing social fabrics.