Well, for the past five weeks we have been in negotiations with the Food Bank people and the administrive committee of our gardening organization trying to work out the logistics of how and when the allotmenteers here can make their extra veg available to the Food Bank folks. During this time my partner and I have been going around and asking and collecting what folks could give, adding it to our own harvest and then calling the Food Bank to come and pick it up at our home. Today the plan became a reality (in a structured sense), and the Food Bank folks came with a panel van and collected the ten crates of donated veg. I am not what you would call an emotional sort of bloke, but I have to tell you that today I felt such an enormous amount of pride in my fellow allotmenteers. It was heartwarming how they gave, how enthusiastic they were about the idea and how the Food Bank fellow reacted when he saw what we had waiting for them. I know the folks receiving the fresh veg supplement to their regular canned handouts will be pleased as well. Not only THEY will be happy, but this makes me feel pretty darn good as well. The clubhouse is only open for two hours a day six days a week, so we put a crate outside for those who can't deposit their veg inside for whatever reason. This is what I found waiting for me today when I arrived to get things ready for the pick-up. Inside, the donations were all stalled out and waiting to be picked-up by the Food Bank driver. Once it was all loaded into the truck, I wanted to take a pic. The back door wouldn't open and it was pouring rain, so I settled for this view. There were ten crates full of diverse veg. Keep your fingers crossed that our members will learn to see this as an ordinary thing that will do without thinking--that giving will become a habit that they will come to see as just something they do when gardening.
What a great selection for the food bank. Fingers crossed all the lottie holders get into the habit of putting their excess produce out every week now.
Thanks you two. Well most all folks have a good corner in their hearts...if my co-allotmenteers can find one in their brains now...we'll be all set.
Kind of makes you feel all warm and fuzzy all over doesn't it? They say it is better to give than receive I and believe it!! Just think of all the people you are making happy Not only happy but healthy too! Deanna :-D
Wonderful!! Another nice load of veggies for the Food Bank. I can just imagine the drivers faces. I know i would be overwhelmed. Heres hoping to an ongoing thing for your club house and the all the volunteers that got involved. Maybe just keep those containers out all the time. Probably not everyone is there at the same time, and this would be a nice convience for them to help donate.
This year I didn't have a lot of extra but other years the neighbors shared things from our garden. dooley
What a lovely sight! I'm pleased that your initiative has been so well received, Sjoerd. Here's hoping your brain child will grow and that your fellows will enjoy the feeling of sharing.
Thank you folks for your encouraging words. I'm still a bit euphoric. It sure does, stratsmom. One of the best kind of feelings there is. Biita-- the containers will indeed stay out all the time. The containers inside and outside will be there for folks to deposit into. I will periodically check on them and keep them arranged and bring the outside stuff inside. For the time being I will call the FB peeps every wednsday to let them know if there will be something to pick-up each thursday. Sharing is indeed a good feeling.
I think it is a great thing you are doing. I will pray it becomes a permanent part of your community's routine. There is no better way to help yourself than to help others.
Wow, what a wonderful response, Sjoerd. No wonder you are proud of all your lottiers. I can't imagine what that means to the people in your community and how it might grow. Gardengater
Thanks Netty, Seedfreak and Gardengater for your responce and support. It it so nice to hear it. We are hoping that it will turn out to be generously supported next season when things really get rolling again.
