Sara’s Pantry encourages gardeners to Grow A Row for those in need

Sara’s Pantry, is asking gardeners and fresh produce producers to add an extra row of vegetables this year for donation to Glenboro’s food security program.

“Fresh produce is one of the staples of our monthly food hampers,” said Kyrsten Godard, Sara’s Pantry Secretary. “Buying fresh produce can be expensive on an already tight budget; we are hoping to enlist the support of master gardeners, home gardeners, garden clubs, youth groups, seniors, schools, churches, local growers, community gardens and larger scale producers to share the surplus of their harvest with Sara’s Pantry this year.”

The Grow-A-Row program started in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1986, initiated by Ron and Eunice O’Donovan. The O’Donovan’s had produced more potatoes in their backyard garden than their family could consume. They donate the excess to Winnipeg Harvest, their local food bank. Since then, the Grow-A-Row program has been adopted by many other canadian cities.

Established in the fall of 2020, Sara’s Pantry currently provides an average of 20 hampers a month to families in need of supplemental food. The volunteer organization accepts pre-registration and distributes the hampers bi-monlthy from Sara’s Pantry location at 504 Railway Avenue in Glenboro.

Vegetable producers wishing to make a sizable donation can request pickup or arrange a suitable drop time by contacting Charlene Claeys-Godard, Sara’s Pantry Operating Manager at saraspantry2020@gmail.com. Glenboro Home hardware has made a generous donation of all their leftover garlic, potato, and onion seed. Vegetable seed is available for anyone to use and can be accessed by contacting Tracy Rimmer at tracy.rimmer@gmail.com or Kyrsten Godard at 204-526-0688.

Sara’s Pantry accepts monetary donations as well as non-perishable food donations. Monetary donations can be sent to Sara’s Pantry at Box 495, Glenboro, MB R0K 0H0 or dropped off to Rimmer Technology Partners at 504 Broadway Avenue or Westoba Credit Union Glenboro Branch. Non-perishable food donations can be made in Glenboro at the Glenboro CO-OP, D + A Foods, Westoba Credit Union, Glenboro Pharmacy, Glenboro United Church, as well as in Cypress River at the Cypress River United Church and Spring Creek Farms.

Those looking to access food from Sara’s Pantry are encouraged to email saraspantry2020@gmail.com or visit Sara’s Pantry on Facebook at @saraspantryglenboro. Food hampers are available bi-monthly with pre-registration.

(submitted)