Maplewood Community Garden Helps Feed Hungry

Maplewood Community Garden (MCG) has kicked off its fourth season with much enthusiasm from local community groups, including a Girl Scout troop whose members will help grow and deliver produce to a variety of local organizations.

Volunteers harvest produce at two MCG sites, at Maplewood Town Hall and the First Aid Squad, and deliver it to the B'nai Brith Federation Home, South Orange Senior Residences, DeHart Center Senior Residence, churches involved with the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) and St. Joseph's Food Pantry.

(There are a total of 74 beds, five of which are designated for food pantries, said MCG coordinator Irene Dunsavage, and the rest are rented by families who as part of their contract donate weekly to the various centers and churches.)

Girl Scout Troop 22831 made their first delivery of fresh lettuces to the B'nai Brith Federation Home in South Orange on Tuesday. This is the fourth year that the MCG has donated to the home.

"Our approach to wellness and hunger is a significant part of why we garden," said Dunsavage. 

The Food Pantry Committee is chaired by former Clinton School teacher Carol Lerner and Liz Jones. Members of the Food Pantry Committee harvest weekly and delivery to various organizations.

A new project at Clinton School spearheaded by Stacy Basko will begin this June, said Dunsavage. In addition to the Girl Scouts and JESPY House volunteers, collections from all the sites will go to families that are housed by the various churches organized by the IHN. These collections will run from July through September, and are organized by garden member Sue Lunde.