The “Tackling Hunger” project is flourishing through the cooperation of Booker T. Washington National Monument, the Rotary Club of Smith Mountain Lake, the Franklin County Master Gardeners, Hot Shots Entertainment Center, and Lake Christian Ministries. More than 22 adult volunteers from these organizations and the community devoted an average of 800 hours a year to harvesting this produce. The 2021 growing season produced 2033 pounds of produce distributed by Lake Christian Ministries – a food pantry that serves the hungry in Bedford and Franklin Counties – about 7,000 meals for local families. The 2022 growing season produced 1515 pounds of produce distributed.
Tackling Hunger vegetables and fruits come from three sources: the Giving Garden and the Heirloom Garden (both at Booker T. Washington National Monument) and the Plant a Row program, where family growers and farmers throughout the community drop off fresh fruits and vegetables at Hot Shots Entertainment Center.
At the Giving Garden alone, there are raised beds, drip irrigation for all beds, a storage shed, 4 compost bins, 4 wheeled carts, and extensive use of floating row covers to extend the harvest time and protect plants. The Volunteers make soil blocks and start seeds for many vegetables and plants including tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and marigolds. At Lake Christian Ministries there is a new food display cart Rotary members made for the food pantry to make the shopping experience better for all who use this ministry.
In addition, we provide a gardening experience for the Good Neighbors summer campers from Franklin and Bedford Counties. Volunteers share gardening techniques and good times with the campers. The kids pick vegetables, plant seeds, learn about composting and take home a pot with green bean seeds that they plant. We also provide training for Franklin County Master Gardener interns as they work towards their accreditation.
Since SML Rotary started Tackling Hunger in 2009, the growing area has increased by 40%, a rinsing station to clean the vegetables has been added, and there’s now a second table to allow preparation for planting. New floating row covers keep bugs away from the squash, zucchini, and bush green beans. A rain gauge helps to better determine how much watering is needed. Compost tea (from worm castings) was added to the peas and leafy greens, and compost manure now augments many of the beds.
Tackling Hunger has succeeded remarkably thanks to the many committed volunteers from the community – and the partnership with community organizations. If you wish to support Tackling Hunger in any way, email Mary Thurman at marythurmond1@gmail.com.
