Governor and Mrs. McDonnell Participate in Commonwealth Day of Gleaning
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(Photos Courtesy of Michaele White, Governor's Photographer) –
RICHMOND - Governor and Mrs. McDonnell participated this morning in the Commonwealth Day of Gleaning, gathering food at Mount Olympus Farm in Caroline County and delivering it to the Central Virginia Food Bank, FeedMore Community Kitchen. Gleaning is the traditional practice of gathering crops that would otherwise be left in the fields to rot, or be plowed under after harvest but which are still fresh and excellent sources of nutrition. It is estimated that more than 10 percent of the population of the United States depends on nearly 150,000 private programs helping to feed the hungry for a significant part of their nutritional needs. However, even with public assistance and the work of nonprofits and charities, about 20 percent of requests for emergency food assistance went unmet in 2011. Today's Commonwealth Day of Gleaning was planned to call attention to that need and to encourage all Virginians to lend a hand.
Mrs. Maureen McDonnell worked with area volunteers and representatives from the Society of St. Andrew and the Virginia Federation of Food Banks gathering produce which she and Governor McDonnell then delivered to FeedMore. "I'm always impressed when I see young people in their communities serving others." Said Mrs. McDonnell to more than 60 volunteers gathered at Mt. Olympus. "Together, we have arranged for volunteers to glean today at farms in every region of the Commonwealth in order to bring much needed attention to the issues of hunger and the need for good nutrition for all people, no matter who they are or where they are from."
The idea for a Commonwealth Day of Gleaning is a result of the First Lady's FLITE Foundation. FLITE, First Lady's Initiatives Team Effort, recognizes programs, activities, organizations, or individuals who embody the ideal of "getting involved and giving back." Its purpose is to bring attention to the great work being done by selfless people around the Commonwealth who are taking the opportunity to leave Virginia a better place than they found it. Members of the First Lady's FLITE Team along with representatives of the Society of St. Andrew and local food pantries gleaned at the following locations:
Northern Neck- Parker's Farm 1647 Kings Highway Oak Grove, VA 22443
Contact: Brad Grinnen
Phone: 804-577-7028
Winchester- Marker-Miller Farm 3035 Cedar Creek Grade Winchester, VA 22602
Contact: Betty Heishman
Phone: 540-336-2177
Southwest Virginia- Brady's Produce in Hillsville
Contact: Karen Dennis
Phone: 276-620-9446
Hampton Roads- Brookdale Farm 2060 Vaughan Road Virginia Beach, VA 23457
And Cullipher Farm Princess Ann Road Virginia Beach, VA
Contact: Sharon Wallace
Phone: 757-546-4646
Bedford- A.J. Gross and Son Farm 6817 Wheats Valley Road Bedford, VA 24523
Contact: Sarah Ramey
Phone: 434-841-1473
Charlottesville- Crown Orchard 5861 Piedmont Apple Lane Covesville, VA 22934
Contact person: Jim Hassmer
Phone: 434-466-4375
For more information about this event and all gleaning locations - http://www.endhunger.org/interactive_map_vcdog.htm
Governor McDonnell's proclamation is available at http://www.governor.virginia.gov/OurCommonwealth/Proclamations/viewproc.cfm?id=163
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