First of all WELCOME to all of you who joined us last week as we kicked off another kiderGARDENing season. As with last year's series it is never too late to join us!
I'm sorry that I haven't gotten to visit yet...thanks to my darling children I have had pink-eye and frankly I spent as much time as possible with my eyes closed!
But I am on the mend and can now open up long enough to write a post and do some blog hoppin'!
Next week I'll update you on my garden but this week I have something much more important to share!
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Did you know?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1 in 8 households in the United States experiences hunger or the risk of hunger. Many frequently skip meals or eat too little, sometimes going without food for an entire day.
Approximately 33 million people, including 13 million children, have substandard diets or must resort to seeking emergency food because they cannot always afford the food they need. The demand for hunger assistance has increased by 70% in recent years, and research shows that hundreds of hungry children and adults are turned away from food banks each year because of lack of resources.' (Garden Writers Association)
I cannot imagine having to tell my children "Sorry but we have nothing to eat" and mean more than we're out of snack foods. I cannot imagine not being sure I would have food for dinner for my family. I cannot imagine...
But unfortunately this is the reality for millions of people...parents like us.
I want to help change that.
This year I have contacted two charities in my area (our homeless shelter and a community service organization) that will gladly take any produce I grow this year and either use it to make meals or distribute it to those in need.
I am not just talking just extra zucchini...I am talking about rows of food that I have planted specifically to give away to those in my area that are in need.
I want to purposely give.
I would like to ask everyone in the kinderGARDENS series that can, to join me and purposely plant extra this year for the hungry.
As passionate as I am about teaching our children to garden I am equally passionate about showing them to reach beyond their little universes...to see those in need and purposely doing something to help someone else.
This is a perfect way to combine two life skills...growing and giving!
We'll call this new component to our series Grow to Give
I'll keep a running total of the pounds of food we grow and give in the side column here, you are welcome to do the same on your own blogs.
And if anyone is interested the Garden writers association has a program called 'Plant a Row for the Hungry' which is a national movement to help grow food for those in need.
Ask around your community, find out what resources there are for the hungry and if they could use your fresh locally grown produce. Or join a national organization like Plant a Row. Or you could also find a family in need and share with them...
Anyway you choose to give...just give!
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Here is the time where we get to link up and peek inside each other's gardens.
Feel free to continue your introductions and plans for this year or update us on how your garden is growing already.
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