THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605030082
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ROBERT STIFFLER
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
IF PEOPLE IN New York City can do it, gardeners in Hampton Roads should be able to do it even better.
On March 21, Plant a Row for the Hungry got its first 1996 signed-on-the-dotted-line commitment to grow and deliver a row of fresh vegetables to the hungry. The place was New York's Hard Rock Cafe on W. 57th St.
And a similar commitment was made by Californians at the Hard Rock cafe in Los Angeles on Earth Day, April 21.
Now it's time for local gardeners to join the effort. The program is simple. When you plant your vegetables, plant an extra row to give to the hungry and homeless.
Preferred vegetables are those that will store well for several days. Green beans are one of the best and easiest to grow, and you can produce a lot in a small space. Other vegetables that store well include radishes, potatoes, corn, cucumbers, peppers, beets, tomatoes, squash, watermelons, cantaloupes and apples.
In this area, call either of these organizations to make arrangements for delivering your fresh vegetables:
Sarah Martin, Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia, 624-1333.
Dick Powell, Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, 1053 Virginia Beach Blvd. (17th Street), Virginia Beach. Call 491-2846.
Rosemary Hozdic, Salvation Army, 203 W. 19th St., Norfolk. Call 622-7275. This is the only Salvation Army location that can accept fresh vegetables.
John Gray, The Union Mission, 130 Brooke Ave., Norfolk. Call 627-8686.
If you can't drive to any of the locations, call and they'll advise where your fresh fruit or vegetables can be delivered.
The ``Plant a Row for the Hungry'' program was launched in 1995 by the Garden Writers Association of America, with headquarters in Manassas, Va. Across the United States and Canada, 30 tons of produce was given to food banks and food kitchens.
``It helps reduce the problem of feeding the hungry without government programs, tax dollars or red tape,'' said a representative of the garden writers association.
Those agencies eligible to receive the food include soup kitchens, senior centers and day-care centers. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
BURPEE SEEDS
Green beans, such as Burpee's Tenderpick, are a good choice to plant
for the hungry. They grow easily and store well.
by CNB