The countdown is on until the Plant a Row – Grow a Row program begins collecting donations for folks in dire need of nutritious food.
The annual program encourages community members to grow an extra row of food in their gardens and to drop it off at weekly collection events running on Sunday mornings from June to October.
“We accept any amount of produce from our gardeners, as every little amount of food we receive can and will be used for the kitchens or placed into the family boxes,” said Claude LeDoux, who founded the local program. “Come join us and meet our wonderful team of gardeners to learn and give your opinions on gardening.”
LeDoux said any type of fresh food is accepted, including herbs, all types of fruits, potatoes, cabbage, lettuce, and tomatoes.
“We are a very diverse population, and you will be surprised at the smiles received by unusual produce as well,” he said.
Donations of garden-grown or store-bought food will be delivered to the New West Union Gospel Mission or Ryan’s Rainbow Emergency Food Outreach for distribution to people in dire need of nutrition. Cash donations are always appreciated.
“Our donations are received with overwhelming positive response because we are supplying fresh home-grown produce which is grown by the loving hands of the gardeners,” LeDoux said. “The (UGM) chefs appreciate the diversity of produce we deliver and anything we can provide give brings a smile from a struggling family at their time of need.”
The Union Gospel Mission uses the food to cook meals at its New West drop-in, as well as the Dan’s Legacy program, which includes a cook-training program. Ryan’s Rainbow is a non-profit organization that provides emergency food assistance to individuals and families in Burnaby who are facing food insecurity.
In addition to fresh food, the Plant a Row – Grow a Row team welcomes donations of any new items, including socks, clothes, and kitchenware, which can be given to families in need. It also accepts cash or cheques, which will be distributed to Union Gospel Mission, Dan’s Legacy, or Ryan’s Rainbow.
“All of your donations are welcomed and appreciated by Plant a Row – Grow a Row,” LeDoux said.
According to LeDoux, the program has been collecting food for more than 25 years from members of New Westminster and Burnaby’s wonderful gardening and non-gardening community.
“They have made an amazing contribution, with thousands of pounds of fresh produce delivered each year from our community,” he said. “Without the help of such generous community members, our community members in need, both young and elderly, would be lacking such vital fresh produce. We would like to thank all of our current members and anyone else looking to assist please come.”
Donations can be dropped off at Plant a Row – Grow a Row collection events. They will run on Sunday mornings (8:30 to 9:15 a.m.) from June 8 to Oct. 5 at St. Thomas More Collegiate, 7450 12th Ave., just across the border in Burnaby.
Anyone wishing to get notices about PAR-Gar can send their current email address to [email protected].
