Food pantries in our area say they are really struggling to provide for all of the people in need.
To help, one organization is focused on helping families have fresh produce for their meals.
You or someone you know may grow vegetables in your backyard, but maybe you have more than you need.
Ampleharvest.org is calling on backyard gardeners to donate their extra produce to local food pantries.
Bunny Borchelt and the volunteers at Groesbeck United Methodist Church in Colerain have been helping neighbors put food on their tables through their Son Ministries program for 28 years.
You typically find canned goods stacked on their pantry shelves.
"Peanut butter and jelly always. We do some canned products. Some entrees in a can is tuna and Spam," Borchelt said from the pantry office at 8871 Colerain Avenue.
Borchelt says they sometimes get produce donations, but not often enough to fill every client's bag.
She says when she heard about Ampleharvest.org's campaign to connect backyard gardeners with local pantries, she quickly went online to enroll.
"I signed up on the website. I think it's a wonderful idea especially this time of year. Produce is abundant and we would love to have whatever is available," Borchelt said.
It's simple for both parties to sign-up.
Backyard gardeners or farmers and local pantries just go to
Ampleharvest.org, type in their zip code, and the website does the rest.
Son Ministries client, Diane Morgan, says she appreciates the food she receives, but would love to have more fresh vegetables for her family.
"They're fresher for one than the canned vegetables. I grew up on them and she was raised up on them and loves them. They've got better taste and would help the families out more. They'd have more selection than have to deal with the processed stuff in the grocery store," Morgan said.
The folks at Ampleharvest feel it's important they connect backyard gardeners with the smaller pantries who don't have large budgets and resources.
SON Ministries hasn't received any donations yet, but are hoping the fall harvest will bring in a bounty of fresh produce.
