All of my veggies (and a few flowers) are now planted! The weather delayed things a bit, but this past weekend I finished up by planting beans, cucumber, marigolds, tomatoes, eggplant, melons, peppers, and basil. Gardening is a gamble and it’s always a guess as to whether my transplanted seedlings will survive, but the rain should help. Hopefully we’ll get some sun one of these days!
On that note, community gardens in the area are waiting for you to come and volunteer. There are TONS of opportunities available whether you want to work just once, once a week, or continually. What better way to get a tan and get in shape without a trip to the gym? Not to mention, of course, getting your hands dirty, getting a healthy dose of vitamin D, and helping your community immensely. Please contact me if you or anyone you know is interested! bparham@idahofoodbank.org, 336-9643 x 246
On a different note, I’d like to make a plug for The Idaho Foodbank’s Mobile Pantry program. Yesterday some co-workers and I climbed into a 14-passenger van and we made our way up to Cascade for the Mobile Pantry at the Cascade Senior Center. Over a period of two and a half hours, I staked my claim at the cereal station and handed out super-size bags of Honey Buzzers to about 180 families.
Unlike our usual food distribution systems, in which The Foodbank distributes food to partner agencies rather than people directly, the Mobile Pantry program sends a truckload of food to underserved communities once a month for direct distribution. These areas often have difficulty accessing emergency food supplies. As I mentioned earlier, 180 families came for food assistance yesterday. Despite the cold, wind, and rain, some of these families, with their children in tow, waited in line for the facilities to open.
With such a strong focus on community gardens and my work centered around an office setting, I have very little contact with the warehouse and all manners of food distribution. Yesterday was a very concrete reminder of why The Idaho Foodbank exists and what we do to serve the hungry in Idaho. The need is everywhere.
