Plant a Row for the Hungry, a national program
promoted locally by the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners,
encourages all vegetable gardeners and commercial growers to donate extra
produce for the poor. Clean, fresh produce — especially melons and
other fruits, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, carrots, and
beans — is sought.
In this area, the main beneficiary of the program is
the Central Illinois Foodbank.
“Summer is a particularly difficult for
families, as they must find a way to replace free or reduced school
lunches,” says Pam Molitoris, Foodbank executive director. “We
are so grateful for partners such as Plant a Row for the Hungry, who help
us address this need by providing nutritious, fresh produce for families
throughout the summer.” The Foodbank distributes nearly 4 million
pounds of food each year to feeding and after-school programs in 21counties
in central Illinois.
Any amount of produce is accepted. Take donations to
the Central Illinois Foodbank, 2000 E. Moffat Ave. in Springfield, between
7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
The Plant a Row committee will also be hosting
Saturday collections 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at two Springfield sites:
Green View Nursery, 2900 W. Jefferson St., on
July 16, Aug. 20, and Sept. 17.
First Congregational Church, 2100 S. Bates
Ave., on July 16, 23, and 30 and Aug. 6, 13, 20, and 27.
To arrange for produce pickup or other options, call
the Central Illinois Foodbank at 217-522-4022 or the U of I Extension
Sangamon-Menard office at 217-782-4617.
Contributions to the Foodbank are tax-deductible and
receipts will be provided on request.
In 2004, the Sangamon-Menard Plant a Row program
helped collect 35,000 pounds of fresh produce for the Foodbank. Produce was
donated by local gardeners, vendors at the downtown farmers’ market,
and master gardeners who have planted, maintained and harvested produce
from dedicated Plant a Row gardens.
Tea time
Learn to add the refreshing flavors of garden-grown
herbs to tea at a program offered by the University of Illinois Extension
Master Gardeners.
Participants in “Herbs for Teas” will
learn how common culinary herbs such as rosemary, sage, lavender, thyme,
and basil may be blended into teas. Other recommended herbs include lemon
balm, lemon verbena, lemongrass, mints, bee balm, and scented geraniums.
The free program, presented at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July
19, will be held in the demonstration gardens located in front of the
University of Illinois Extension Building at the fairgrounds. For more
information, call 217-782-4617.
This article appears in Jul 14-20, 2005.
