It’s spring and many folks throughout the Treasure Valley are thinking about gardening. Did you know that you can donate some of your garden’s bounty to various local food pantries and help feed those in need? Launched by Let’s Move Boise and the Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS), the Grow A Row program provides resources for you to do just that.
Grow A Row participants receive six packets of seeds, planting and gardening tips, a seed planting guide, and a distribution list for local food pantries and community centers. Their partners include the Idaho Foodbank, Idaho Botanical Garden, Healthwise, Boise Parks and Recreation, and Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health.
Packets are available at the following locations:
- Boise Urban Garden School, 731 N. 15th St.
- Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 Old Penitentiary Rd.
- Healthwise, 2601 Bogus Basin Rd.
- Idaho Foodbank Administrative Office, 3562 S. TK Ave.
- Boise Parks and Recreation Administrative Office, 1104 Royal Blvd.
According to the Idaho Foodbank, 16.3 percent of Idaho children are “food insecure,” meaning there is an uncertainty regarding their next meal. Though this percentage may not seem very high, it’s important to remember that it equates to 66,628 children, or about 1 out of every 6, who are unsure of whether or not they will eat today. Programs like Grow A Row are hoping to bring that statistic down by providing nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables to families in need.
This is a perfect opportunity to get your kids involved in gardening, teach them how to tend plants and reap the rewards, and contribute to their community at large. It doesn’t take much extra effort, especially if you’re already planning to grow a garden anyway. One extra row may not seem like much to you. But for individuals who are going without food, it could mean the world.
To learn more about the Grow A Row program, click on this link.
Talk it up:
Will you participate in the Grow A Row program?
Comments