Making a difference-Bodhi Monastery Food Pantry NJ

Plant a Row participants span a wide range of age and green thumb ability. Nineteen year old Frankford resident Victoria C made her online participation pledge to the SCBOA/Plant a Row for the Hungry in early spring. Her ntention to plant and harvest tomatoes and beans for her donation didn't quite pan out. Unfortunately, her gardening efforts didn't produced the harvest she had hoped for. 
However, an unexpected bumper crop of sweet, juicy plums became her inspiration for making a donation to one of the Sussex County food assistance programs suggested on the SCBOA/PAR site.

Over a two day period, Victoria and her family harvested, cleaned and shared over 20 lbs of plums harvested from one fruit tree on the family farm. There was more than enough for the family's table, for sharing with friends and neighbors and for making a 9 lb donation to the Bodhi Monastery food pantry.

"I'm glad to be able to participate in Plant A Row," Victoria said. "I read about how hard it is for families to make ends meet because of the present economy.

After meeting the Food Pantry director, hearing about the number of people the Bodhi Monastery Food Pantry helps and about all the great people in Sussex County who have been making that happen, I feel even better about playing even a tiny part in helping out and hope to do more."

Helping to "take a bite out of local hunger" is nothing new to the Monastery's Food Pantry or it's Director, Duke DeGroat. For over five years he has been active in facilitating the Pantry's food assistance program and coordinating the many community volunteers who offer time, services and donations to the non-denominational pantry. The Pantry also has the support of businesses, farmers and individuals in the Sussex County community and beyond.

The Bodhi Monastery Pantry is open on Friday mornings and offers those in need 2 bags of groceries-ranging from cereals to staples like rice and pasta, breads and veggies. Sussex County farmers like Lentini's Produce, Windy Brow, Roselyn's Bakery and Ideal Farms have been generous supporters.

Plant a Row harvest donations -large or small- are equally welcome.

Inspite of recent reports that indicate economic recovery may be underway, the "folks on the front lines" haven't seen that trend reaching the trenches:
"In a two week period during July," said Duke DeGroat, "we've had twelve new families enrolled in the pantry program. I can't recall a time when so many families were in need of assistance."

Do you have a garden harvest to share with a neighbor in need?  Visit the Sussex County Board of Agriculture's site www.sussexcountyboardofagriculture.org for Plant a Row info, donation sites, gardening tips and much more.

Sussex Naturally congratulates the Sussex County Board of Agriculture and all Plant a Row participants for working together to make a difference in our community.