HHFB is
currently working with Strangers
Hill Organics located just outside of Bloomington. During the peak
summer and fall season, volunteers visit Stranger's Hill Organics each weekday
to pick up or harvest excess crops.
No prior gardening experience is
necessary to participate with the HHFB Garden & Gleaning Programs! Training and
support are provided during the volunteer sessions.
Garden Program: Our Garden Program was born out of a continuing effort to
increase the amount and nutritional quality of food provided to area food
pantries and soup kitchens. To meet a rapidly growing need for emergency food
assistance, we have had to consider new ways to obtain food. Growing our own
allows us to bring in varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables rarely donated to
the food bank. A Monroe county farm, Strangers Hill Organics, has donated to the
food bank the long-term use of a half-acre, tillage and access to water for
irrigation. In 2009, the gardens first year, over 211 volunteers planted,
maintained, and harvested 5,600 pounds of organic vegetables!
Gleaning (Harvesting) Program: Hoosier Hills Food Bank partners with local
farmers and depends on volunteers to harvest excess fruits and vegetables. In
turn, we have more fresh, local, and nutritious produce to distribute to our 100
member agencies. In 2009 HHFB worked with three area farms and 15 volunteers to
rescue over 22,000 pounds of fresh food!
GARDEN VOLUNTEERS:
2010 Volunteer hours are scheduled for the following days and times
April-October:
Tuesdays 10a-12p
Thursdays 5:30-7:30p
Saturdays 2-4pm
Please RSVP to volunteer@hhfoodbank.org or (812) 334-8374.
Check out our google calendar Garden/Gleaning to view available opportunities.
Groups and individuals are encouraged to sign up for a recurring schedule for
the entire season. Were requesting that groups of five to ten people commit to
at least one session a month from April to October. Coordinate a group of
friends, neighbors, congregation members, coworkers, family members,
organization members, etc. and sign up! Were looking for at least ten groups
willing to make this monthly commitment. Please send your interest and
availability to the Hoosier Hills Food Bank Volunteer Coordinator, Kai
Westerfield, now. She can be reached at
volunteer@hhfoodbank.org
For more information contact Jessica at
812-334-8374 or
garden@hhfoodbank.org
Gleaning Brochure!
