Like most of my neighbors, with all the rain we have been getting the past month, my garden has exploded and I already have more produce than I know what to do with. I've tried giving it away and people are already so tired of me throwing zucchini at them that I think they are starting avoiding me. So this year, after I can't stomach another bite of zucchini or squash, and I can't find any friends to give it to, I'm going to donate it.
After doing some research, I found a great website called AmpleHarvest.org. The mission of this website is to connect the 40 million plus Americans who have a garden with the 50 million plus Americans who live in food insecure homes. By simply entering your zip code, AmpleHarvest.org provides a list of food banks near you that are accepting donations from your garden. When I did the search, I couldn't believe how many were within a few miles of my house.
And after writing this, I was informed that there is another great organization right here in Denver so thought I would add this info as well.Check out Produce for Pantries, a division of Grow Local Colorado. This is from their website: Produce for Pantries "connects the dots" by bringing together youth growing produce in school gardens, residents growing in community gardens, and citizens growing vegetables in home gardens to help nourish their neighbors in need, thereby strengthening and enriching Denver's diverse neighborhoods. Residents are encouraged to emailproduceforpantries@gmail.comto connect with their nearest participating food pantry, and to register their fruit trees online atwww.yardharvest.orgif they would like to donate their excess fruit to nearby food pantries.
I can't think of a better way to give back to the community, and hopefully with more rain in the forecast, there will be plenty for us all to contribute this year.
Socials