Did you know that one out of six Americans does not know from where their next meal will come? There are people in our communities and surrounding areas that are experiencing hunger. Food pantries help fill in the gaps but often lack healthy, fresh produce.
AmpleHarvest.org is a non-profit organization that uses the power of the internet to connect 8,387 registered local food pantries spread across all 50 states with gardeners willing to donate their excess produce. AmpleHarvest.org reminds Master Gardeners and all home gardeners that they can help by planting just a little extra to donate and improve the health of their neighbors and community. When you donate your excess garden bounty, you are helping to relieve hunger, reduce food waste and making an impact on obesity and other food-related diseases. If your good gardening skills provide you with extra bounty, more than your family can eat, don’t let it go to waste! Even a small donation of freash vegetables and fruit will help increase food security in your area.
Unfortuantly, not all food pantries can accept fresh produce. AmpleHarvest.org connects gardeners to food pantries near them that can accept fresh produce. To find a food pantry near you to donate your fresh harvest visit www.AmpleHarvest.org/find-pantry
Today, AmpleHarvest.org is reaching out to gardeners in Southern states, like Texas, fortunate enough to have an active gardening season this time of year to remind them of the need for donations. Winter months are usually a lean time of year for donations and this year other circumstances have placed added pressures on the food pantries. Regardless of anyone’s politics, federal employees who are impacted by the government shutdown as well as those working for businesses in the community that are also affected still need to eat fresh healthy food.
The AmpleHarvest.org issued a press release at www.AmpleHarvest.org/shutdown encouraging Southern gardeners to help.
Some of the food pantries in BMGA’s area that accept fresh produce now, or anytime, are:
Christian Community Services Center
Pantry #3864
814 N. LaSalle St.
Navasota, TX 77868Contact: Patricia Gaston
Phone: 936-825-7454
Fax: 936-825-7454
Email: pgaston2008@yahoo.com
Lighthouse
Pantry #4057
929 Silliman St.
Sealy, TX 77474
Phone: 979-398-9591
Email: lighthousepcg.sealy@yahoo.com
Schulenburg Area Food Pantry
Pantry #4531
1835 Oakland Rd
Schulenburg, TX 78956
Contact: betty ohnheiser
Phone: 979 561 6439
Smithville Food Pantry
Pantry #5317
107 SW 2nd Street
Smithville, TX 78957
Contact: S.A. Martin
Phone: 512-237-2322
Email: smithvillefoodpantry@gmail.com