The concept is simple. With close to 30 million Americans still going to bed hungry, the Plant a Row for the Hungry program asks home gardeners to plant an extra row or two in their garden to giveaway to those who need it most.
Whether it's a bag of excess tomatoes or a crate of ever-plentiful zucchini, fresh vegetables are always needed. And it's a shame not to plant an extra row if you're going ahead and planting a summer vegetable garden anyway. You'll find it's not much more work to plant an extra row. Most times, especially if you're planting by seed, it doesn't even cost you anymore either. When was the last time you planted every last seed that came in a seed packet? if you're like me, most of the time the leftover seeds go in the garage, never to see the light of day again.
If you have children, get them involved. My 7-year-old daughter, Kaitlin, normally isn't crazy about helping me in the garden, especially when it comes to pulling weeds. But she loves to help water and especially enjoys picking ripe vegetables when she knows we're going to make a run to the local organization that feeds the hungry.
Practically every community has an organization or two that feeds the hungry. Whether it's the Salvation Army, a local food bank or a church, I'm sure there's an organization in your community that would love to have your excess produce. The Second Harvest Food Bank has a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks and 50,000 charitable organizations. Callers to (800) 870-FOOD will be connected to the food bank closest to them. The sponsoring Garden Writers Association of America also has a toll-free number that offers advice, free row markers and more. That number is (877) 492-2727 (877-GWAA-PAR).
Even if you have a small garden, you can help. For instance, if you normally plant only two tomato plants, put in four instead. Plant a window box of herbs since herbs improve the flavor of most anything. Shoot, you probably have a fruit or citrus tree in your garden already that has excess fruit. Pick that fruit instead of letting it rot on the vine. If you can't pick the trees yourself, enlist the help of a neighbor child to glean the tree for you. More than likely, they'll be happy to be doing such a good deed.
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