Food Bank Garden in Winston-Salem, NC: Thanks January Volunteers!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Thanks January Volunteers!

For the first time, two groups volunteered to help the garden in January. With a high of 55 degrees and frost on the ground, the Winston-Salem State University women's softball team removed brush from the field, harvested collards for Samaritan Inn and pruned shrubbery. In the afternoon Boy Scout Troop from Sharon United Methodist Church in Lewisville came with a group led by Matthew Smitherman. They dug trenches and set the new raised beds in place. The fields are now ready to be prepared and the raised beds ready to be planted. Thanks folks!

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Why a food bank community garden?

Everyone needs healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Our garden is all volunteer with the sole purpose to grow fresh, local vegetables and melons for Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwestern NC with the sponsorship of Centenary United Methodist Church. We are located on three acres at The Children's Home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Scope of the problem in our area:
Across Second Harvest Food Bank's 18-county service area, nearly 300,000 people are at risk of hunger, one-third of which are children. Hungry children can't learn and hungry adults can't work and live productively.Hunger - A Hidden Reality in Our Communities

Hunger in our communities is largely hidden. But whether it involves a parent skipping meals, eating less than is needed to live a healthy life or making due with foods that are filling but lack nutrition, its affects can be devasting, especially among our more vulnerable citizens, including children and older adults.

Children

Children are especially vulnerable to issues of hunger and poverty. Research indicates that even mild under-nutrition experienced by young children during critical periods of growth may lead to reductions in physical growth and affect brain development. A child who is unequipped to learn because of hunger and poverty is more likely to be poor as an adult. As such, the existence of childhood hunger in the United States threatens future American prosperity.

Seniors

For older adults, adequate nutrition is particularly important for health because of their increased vulnerability to disease and conditions that may impair the ability to live at home independently. Inadequate diets may contribute to or exacerbate disease, quicken the advance of age-related degenerative diseases, and delay recovery from illnesses. 10.2% served by Second Harvest Food Bank emergency assistance programs are age 65 or older.

Working Poor

The assumption is often made that those who face hunger are unemployed. The truth is that greater and greater numbers of working North Carolinians are struggling to feed their families. More than one-third of these households have one or more adults working. According to the recent Map the Meal Gap Study released by Feeding America, 35% of those who are food insecure in the Second Harvest Food Bank of NWNC service area are not eligible for governement assistance based on income.

According to the most recent study, released in March 2011, from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Food Hardship in America 2010, North Carolina is ranked 6th worse in the nation for food hardship. Amoung Metropolitan Service Areas, Winston-Salem MSA was ranked 3rd worse in the nation and Greensboro/High Point MSA was ranked 4th.

While hunger is a widespread problem, it is unique in that it is truly a solvable problem. The resources exist. The United States is the largest and most efficient food producer in the world. The charitable food system in America is smart and highly cooperative. With support from many generous food and financial donors and the helping hands of over 2000 volunteers, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC serves a critical role in hunger-relief efforts for the region, providing donated food to 335 non-profit partner agencies that serve people at risk of hunger and others in need. We are a member of Feeding America (formerly named America's Second Harvest), a collaborative and coordinated network of more than 200 food banks united nationally and operating locally, serving every community in the nation to get food to those who need it.

Ultimately, ending hunger will take leadership and political will. And it will require that the public and private sector join in a determined partnership to address the economic, political and personal barriers that contribute to hunger. Learn more about how you can get involved in creating hunger-free communities today.

History of the Garden

It all began then Jim Holmes Jr. started the Food Bank Community Garden in 1998. In a simple discussion between Holmes and his son as they drove past The Children's Home, Jim Holmes III remembers his father saying "What a shame we aren't cultivating some of that land to grow food for hungry people". Jim's wife Betty became a partner in the implementation of the plan. Many tell stories of her playing with the chldren of families who came to the garden and bringing food for the volunteers.

It wasn't long until Mr. Holmes set up a meeting with Nan Griswold, then the director of Second Harvest which provides food for hungry people in 18 counties. This was in 1998 and the garden is still going today in 2009.

Although, according to Holmes, the volunteers from Centenary UMC have led the effort, he said, the garden truly is a "community garden" and welcomes support from other congregations and organizations. Many volunteers have worked tirelessly to make sure the legacy of Jim and Betty Holmes, Jr. continues into the future.

The Children's Home and its staff have been extremely helpful in providing the place and services that make the garden possible. Reynolda Gardens has also provided support for seeding the tomatoes in their greenhouse.

A huge thanks to the Forsyth County Agriculture Extention Office. Stephen Greer has been our guide and resource person.

Betty and Jim Holmes, Jr. Jim passed away last summer. The garden was named for the Holmes for their hard and inspiring work in starting the garden in 1998

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Monday, January 16, 2012

Thanks January Volunteers!

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