This spring will you Plant a Row?

What Is Plant a Row for the hungry?

Launched in 1995 by the Garden Writers Association (GWA), Plant A Row for the Hungry is a people-helping-people program that encourages gardeners to grow a little extra and donate the produce to local soup kitchens and food pantries serving the homeless and hungry in their local communities.

The Need Is Great

• Over 36 million Americans live in households that experience hunger or the risk of hunger daily. 
• Almost 14 million people facing hunger each day are children. 
• 1-in-8 Americans face hunger daily.

PAR’s mission is to provide an avenue for individuals, corporations and over 84 million gardening households in the U.S. to help America’s most vulnerable citizens and the food agencies serving them.

Harvesting Hope

PAR is a unique community-based program.  It encourages individual and community gardeners to plant and donate an extra row of produce for the greater good in support of food relief organizations in neighborhoods, local districts, cities and counties nationwide. There is no “typical” hungry person.
Rather, he or she looks like all of us and is usually someone who, due to some unforeseen events, finds him/herself needing help. Hunger affects us all, prompting health problems and deteriorating productivity.

Local food agencies are often the only hope some people have to put food on the table for themselves and their children. By donating produce directly to the food agencies, gardeners help organizations and their patrons stretch their meager resources. 

Keeping the Focus on Communities at Home

The American public has responded with open hearts and unprecedented donations to calls for aid for disasters like the Maldive Islands tsunami in 2004, the New Orleans hurricane in 2005, and the Haiti earthquake in 2010. At the same time, local food agencies depend on many of these same charitable sources to help provide food and services to Americans who suffer the daily threat of hunger. Studies show that gifts to local organizations drop significantly following major disasters. By keeping our focus on local community gardens donating produce directly to the food agencies, gardeners help organizations extend their limited resources at a time when their need is greatest and its impact is felt the most.

You Can Make A Difference Through "Plant a Row!"

PAR is rooted in the heartfelt tradition of gardeners sharing a bountiful harvest with others. Sharing can happen on many levels. Home gardeners, schools, church groups, youth and community organizations, and area businesses can all help make a difference for their neighbors who experience hunger or the threat of hunger. Nothing beats the taste and nutrition of fresh-picked vegetables. Growing and eating from your own garden can improve your health, save you money, increase your
sustainability, and decrease your carbon footprint. And most important, your garden can help a lot of people in need. as an individual, YOU can Make a Difference:

• Plant or glean vegetables, fruit, herbs or flowers. 
• Deliver the harvest to a food agency near you. 
• Give a PAR brochure to anyone who could help.

Use the Community Food Network Map to find a food pantry or community garden near you!

Contact the Community Food Network to register your "Row" as a local partner!

Print out this Donation Card to send with your produce to a local food pantry to assist us in tracking donations.  

If you need help with choosing a local food pantry, registering your row, or printing donations cards please contact IccFoodNetwork@gmail.com and we can assist you!