As the Carbon County community garden concludes a year of success, volunteers and food bank staff are eagerly working to finish on a strong note and ready themselves for next year.
Throughout the year, volunteers worked endlessly at the community garden that neighbors the Carbon County Food Bank. According to Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments (SEUALG) Community Service Program Manager Geri Gamber, the garden harvested over 2,000 pounds of produce this season.
“I just want to thank everyone,” Gamber commented. “The key to our success is volunteers. This year, we had over one ton worth of food come from the garden and it’s still producing.”
The garden runs solely on the help of volunteers and assistance from food bank staff. Heading the volunteer efforts this year was 83-year-old Lamar Hussey.
“He’s been our lifesaver,” Gamber said. “He’s dedicated his time to the garden and was here working at least three times a week.”
With help from volunteers like Hussey, the project allows the food bank to offer fresh produce to its clients.
“What we offer is very diverse and fresh,” said Gamber. “Donations are often short on produce. The garden allows diversity and the clients really appreciate it.”
While the community garden produces much of the fresh produce that the food bank offers, donations are always welcome from personal gardens. Thanks to the help of countless volunteer hours and a multitude of donations, the community garden rounded out the growing season with success.
Gamber would like to thank the following for their donations, volunteer hours and support for the garden:
Price City Mayor Joe Piccolo, Kathy Hanna-Smith, Dell Cloward, Gospel Church, IFA, Balance Rock Nursery, Josie Luke, the Boys and Girls Club of Carbon County, United Way, Chelsea Roberts, Today’s Service Leaders, USU Eastern Sun Center, Debbie Hatt, Robin Thayne, Terri Johnson, Vicky Kulow, Gary Prazen, Wayne Clausing and Sutherlands as well as all who donated their time and efforts.
Those looking to volunteer their time may contact the Carbon County Food Bank at (435) 637-9232. Donations are accepted year-round. Work on the community garden will begin in April for the 2015 season.
Another opportunity to serve the local food bank will take place at the grocery store later this month. SEUALG is partnering with Utah Food Bank and Feeding America for National Hunger Action Month by helping gather donations at Walmart in Price.
The public can donate non-perishable food items at Walmart locations statewide on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.