Grow, Glean, Give
G.A.L.A.'s Grow, Glean, Give project is made up of several collaborations that contribute to building an accessible, resilient, and delicious local food system. These collaborations include:
Wolfeboro Food Pantry Garden
The Wolfeboro Food Pantry Garden is a cooperative project of a group of dedicated volunteers and organizations including the Life Ministries Food Pantry, Wolfeboro Conservation Commission, Global Awareness Local Action (G.A.L.A.), and the Agricultural Science program at Kingswood's Voc-Tech High School. The idea for the Food Pantry Garden (F.P.G.) was the brainchild of Dick Shurtleff. Under his direction a Steering Committee was formed in May, 2008 composed of representatives from the organizations listed above. The goal of the Food Pantry Garden (F.P.G.) initiative is to provide fresh, local and organically grown vegetables to the Life Ministry food pantry, for distribution to its clients on a weekly basis.
Numerous organizations and private persons have given of their time and
effort to make the Food Pantry Garden possible. The Conservation Commission made available a portion of the Town's Garden site for the location of the new Food Pantry Garden. The Agricultural Science program undertook to clear the garden plot and prepare it for planting. Wolfeboro's Department of Public Works contributed labor and equipment in clearning the plot and arranging for an on-site water hook-up. Coast of Maine Organic Products donated a generous amount of first quality compost for the garden beds. G.A.L.A. volunteers and the Spider Web Gardens in Tuftonboro contributed time and labor to spreading the compost. The NH Fish and Game Department loaned a solar powered deer fence that was subsequently erected around the perimeter of the garden by volunteers. And last but certainly not least, Master Gardeners planted seedlings and now actively monitor soil and water conditions to ensure maximum yield. Wow! Now that is a collaboration!Everyone is welcome to pitch in at the site in ways they feel they can offer and the Master Gardeners feel are needed at the time. They set the planting, weeding and watering schedules and will determine when produce is ready for harvesting. Their work can be labor intensive so they are always in need of young adult and older volunteer assistance. Please contact one of the master gardeners on site for a list of jobs that currently need doing and a schedule of when the work needs to be done. The Food Pantry Garden is run by volunteers for the benefit of the clients of the Life Ministries Food Pantry. You can become a part of this worthwhile project just by asking.
If you are interested in volunteering to work in the garden you may call:
F.P.G. Committee, Master Gardener Susan Poirer 569-0236
F.P.G. Committee, Master Gardener Rhonda Alden 569-3302
If you would prefer to contact us via email our address is:
Veggie Volunteer Program
The UNH Cooperative Extension started the "Veggie Volunteer Program" back in 2002 by partnering with Sherman Farm who agreed to open their farm to volunteer gleaners twice per week to harvest ripe vegetables for distribuition to county-wide food pantries and senior homes. Since the program's inception, it has delivered 51,054 pounds of vegetables to elderly and income qualifying residents in Carroll County towns. Just last year, their efforts served more than 23,000 vegetable meals valued at more than $15,000 to area-residents who might not otherwise have had access to fresh vegetables. Last summer, G.A.L.A decided to get involved. Thanks to the help of a few loyal volunteers, G.A.L.A. was able to deliver over 600 pounds of fresh produce to The Life Ministry Food Pantry, located at All Saints Episcopal Church Outreach Building in Wolfeboro. This summer, G.A.L.A. aims to mobilize even more volunteers to provide greater distribution and impact. This day on the farm is fun for individuals or the whole family. If you are interested in participating and would like more information and scheduling details, call G.A.L.A.’s Gleaning Project Coordinator, Jackie Witham at 603-731-9570 or email .
Grow a Row
This project collaboration is pending a Project Leader. If you are intersted in becoming a volunteer Project Leader for the "Grow a Row" project, please contact G.A.L.A. for details.