Share the Harvest Generates 10,000 Pounds of Produce for the Hungry

Philabundance’s “Share the Harvest” program, which had two Newtown area drop off sites, was a big success this year, representatives from the organization said this week.

Philabundance’s goal was to collect 10,000 pounds of produce this year. “Neighbors in the Delaware Valley really came through and donated the equivalent of 10,762 pounds for people in need,” said Lindsay Bues, a spokesperson for Philabundance.

Since July, the program has given area gardeners a convenient way to donate surplus vegetables to those in need. Each Saturday over the summer, volunteers from Philabundance collected produce donations at 11 drop off locations, including in Wrightstown and Seasons Garden Center in Washington Crossing. The program wrapped up for the year in late September.

The donated produce helps to feed the hungry in five area counties, including Bucks.

“The enthusiasm and support from Share the Harvest participants is remarkable,” said Bill Clark, president and executive director of Philabundance. “We surpassed our goal for the year and with the rising gas and food prices, this produce has gone such a long way all summer.”

Donations were up from last year, when gardeners donated 7,600 pounds of produce through the Share the Harvest program.

Philabundance provides services to nearly 500 member agencies in nine counties, including Bucks. In total, those organizations serve approximately 65,000 people per week at an aggregate cost of 50 cents per meal. According to the organization, there are more than 900,000 people in the Delaware Valley who are at risk for chronic hunger and malnutrition. In 2010, Philabundance distributed 21 million pounds of food.