While one of every eight people in America is food insecure, millions of backyard gardeners grow far more produce than they can possibly use. Since early May, the AmpleHarvest.org campaign has been enabling America's backyard gardeners to find local food pantries and then share their garden bounty with them.

Thankfully, the campaign is rolling out nationwide and over 800 food pantries and food banks across America have already registered. More are signing up every day! The campaign's goal is to diminish hunger in America by facilitating the donation of excess backyard garden produce that might otherwise spoil.

The AmpleHarvest.org campaign is an outgrowth of a nonprofit 503(c)(1) sustainability organization and has received support from many groups including,

• National Gardening Association
• Garden Writers of America
• USDA
• Google Inc.
• Rotary International
• VFW
• YMCA
• Numerous faith groups
• Food/Hunger bloggers
• Many food banks overseeing the pantries

AmpleHarvest.org is a first of its kind site. It doesn't just provide a list of area food pantries, it offers driving instructions from the donors to their local pantries. Pantries can post a photograph of its building to make it easier to find. It also enables the food pantry to inform donors who are not gardeners as to exactly which store bought items they do or do not want.

So,

• If you work at a food pantry, please register with AmpleHarvest.org (see link below) as soon as possible so that backyard gardeners can easily find you when they harvest their crops
• If you are a backyard gardener, please be generous with your bounty.
• Regardless of who you are, please inform any pantries or gardeners you may know about the AmpleHarvest.org campaign.

Although many people are concerned about their own economic situation, the AmpleHarvest.org campaign enables Americans to help their neighbors by reaching into their backyards instead of their back pockets.

To learn more about the terrific work of this organization and see how you might help go to: Ample Harvest

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