Did you know that you and your garden can make a huge impact on fellow Veterans in need? Let’s dive into why donating your surplus garden produce through AmpleHarvest.org is an incredible way to support your community and fellow service members.
About AmpleHarvest.org
AmpleHarvest.org (yes… that’s its real name) is an award winning, 15-year-old, nationwide nonprofit that helps thousands of food pantries nationwide accept donations of freshly harvested food from gardeners in the community.
AmpleHarvest.org partners with food pantries in over 5,600 communities across all 50 states, including Native American reservations. Your support of AmpleHarvest.org reaches far and wide, helping diverse groups and making the world a better place together.
Feel-good vibes
There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of growing your own food. But imagine taking that one-step further by sharing your harvest with Veterans and others in your community who are struggling with food insecurity. It is a win-win: you get to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of gardening while providing fresh, nutritious food to those who need it most.
Helping Fellow Veterans
Donating your surplus garden harvest to a nearby food pantry through AmpleHarvest.org directly supports neighboring Veterans (and others) and their families facing tough times. This ensures that your brothers and sisters in arms have access to healthy food.
Donating garden produce does not cost a thing. It’s about reaching into your backyard instead of your back pocket. This sustainable and accessible form of giving allows everyone to participate in combating hunger and food waste.
Tax perks
Here’s a bonus: donating your garden bounty can score you some tax deductions. Simply visit AmpleHarvest.org and you’re all set. This financial benefit encourages continued generosity and maximizes the positive impact of each donation.
Spread the word
Know of a food pantry in your community? Maybe in your house of worship? Help more food pantries benefit from this free program by sharing the website: Register a Pantry – AmpleHarvest.org with the food pantry manager. This makes it easier for more gardeners to donate their bounty, ensuring even more Veterans and their families get the fresh produce they need.
Big impact, big love
Donating your surplus garden produce is more than just sharing food; it’s about building a community full of care and love. You get to feel good, support your fellow Veterans, and even snag some tax benefits. Remember, every garden donation helps millions more gardeners connect with local food pantries, spreading the love even further. So, next time you’re harvesting, think about how you can make a difference. The solution to hunger is literally in your backyard.
Learn more at Veterans – AmpleHarvest.org.
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Interesting enough I did something like this at my local VA through my non-profit and the Va eventually shut it down but i was still able to get over 500 lbs of fresh vegetables into veterans hands.
David,
Bravo on your first 500lbs!
If it were me, and the local VA couldn’t continue to support the grassroot program for whatever reason (red tape comes to mind), feel good that you were able to support local veterans in need at 500lbs of fresh vegetables in good faith. And keep trying.
Ask for a response in writing as to why the program was not feasible for ongoing operations. Is it a growing season / location correlation? Did our good intentions not to waste food just give the VA 300lbs of food and 200lbs of rotting trash unintentionally? Who knows? This just might get others interested in supporting your program, or not. Other veteran support organizations in your community might just jump on board if you post your initial results at the bars in all their posts.
While you are waiting on a written response (from your written request to the Veteran’s Service Officer), keep looking for other veteran campuses that may benefit from the other 200lbs of local excess homegrown goods. Local Farmer’s Markets? Homeless shelters?
See where I’m going? If you run out of “fresh vegetables for human consumption”, there are many animals and environmental options including your own garden. Find a corner to till those nutrients back into the ground and see what comes back up in the spring from those life-giving seeds.
Don’t give up until your gumption is gone, for whatever reason. I know for a fact that domestic ducks love the insides of vegetables rotting on the outside. My most unique sustainable discovery last Halloween was to draw on half the pumpkins and carve the other half with the kids. Make it a Post fundraising and Community Building event! If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.
The uncut ones were stored in a plastic bin throughout the frozen winter outside (ducks love cold weather somehow), carved ones served up to 8 ducks through Valentine’s Day in a smaller bin, and the whole ones got me through until the grass started growing again.
Good luck, I truly hope this fosters new ideas for everyone.
Greg Jensen, Backyard Duck Farmer
Service Officer – 18+ yrs
Past Commander – 3 yrs
Community Volunteer Fireman – 3 yrs
John P. Eaton Post 746
Corning, NY