Local
gardeners from Amador and Calaveras county are now utilizing their skills to benefit others. Gardeners
ranging from expert to amateur are working together with the Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency food bank, or ATCAA, by donating home grown produce to help curb a
rising number of hungry and homeless. The idea is so simple it’s almost
ingenious. "When you're out there putting out your garden, put in an extra
row," said Lee Kimball, food bank director.
The effects of our current economic downturn have hit home, and the food bank representatives believe that personal contributions begin in your own backyard. The food bank can not take complete credit for the idea. The Plant-a-Row program is mentioned in the popular book, “Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul”.
Kimball thought it was a great idea and immediately
went to work implementing the program locally. Additionally, people with
chickens are encouraged to donate their extra eggs to supply more protein
fortified contributions. In
2007, the ATCAA food bank was only able to provide an average of 2.25 pounds of
food per person per month, Kimball said. They served an average of
11,000 people per month. Master gardeners will be available to answer questions
and offer advice to people interested in participating. The food bank asks that
all interested gardeners sign up by calling 984-3960. For more information on
Plant-A-Row for the Hungry, visit www.gardenwriters.org.