LAKE COUNTY ? Whether young or old, the hungry eat fresh fruits and vegetables from Lake County Hunger Task Force community gardens.
About 12 task force volunteers grow plants with donated water on donated land, Lorrie Gray, community garden coordinator for the task force said.
They grow squash, tomatoes, cantaloupes, watermelons and more. All county senior centers and food banks receive the food.
The Lake County Wine Alliance will present the task force with a $2,500 grant Saturday at the Lake County Wine Auction, Gray said.
“Oh, they”re fabulous,” Gray said. “They”re our main beneficiary.”
The alliance provided the task force with its original funding in 2003, Gray said. Because the Hunger Task force is not a licensed non-profit, it can be harder to get grants.
The Lake County Wine Alliance is holding its 10th annual auction to benefit the arts, health and the community on Saturday at the National Guard Armory in Lakeport. The auction has donated more than $700,000 to the community during the past nine years.
Information for auction tickets can be found at winealliance.org or by calling 866-279-WINE.
Because volunteers work hard, they sometimes take a few fresh fruits and vegetables home, Gray said.
“Our motto is; you weed, you feed,” Gray said. “If you work in the garden you can eat out of the garden.”
The task force spends most of its money on waterbed canners they give to community members during canning classes, which have already filled up this season, Gray said. Volunteers have taught 168 families how to can fruits and vegetables during the last six years.
With the grant, the task force also buys gardening supplies, such as hoses and watering systems so volunteers don”t have to go water the gardens every day.
The task force and AmeriCorps will hold a non-perishable food drive Oct. 24 on Make a Difference Day, Gray said.
Some senior centers cook the food with meals and others give it out to take home and use, Gray said.
“As long as the food gets used by people who need it,” Gray said.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
