“Planting a seed in our Community Gardens will not only yield food. It will spread kindness, improve mental and physical wellness, and bring joy to the elderly in the communities we serve.

G. Kitabu
ASOFI Volunteer, Kenya

As we enjoy the fall colors marking another successful harvest season in our continent, we are getting ready for the next harvest on another continent! Our Village Pantry Community Gardens are gearing up for the coming planting season. You would be amazed by the outpour of support from the locals who have embraced our mission to help the elderly. They volunteered to get the plant beds prepared. Some elderly folks have even joined to help where they can. We are so grateful and proud of them.

As COVID-19 lockdown measures are lifted, our elderly community is joining the effort to plant for the next season. Some will work on vegetable gardens where they plan to plant kale, lettuce, carrots, onions, and tomatoes, while others will work on planting fruits and other local delicacies. The older men also have started bee keeping which will be great for pollination. We have been encouraging our seniors to avoid using processed sugar and artificial sweeteners and instead switch to honey whenever possible. Working on these projects has boosted their mental wellness, and they are excited to pass their agricultural wisdom to our young volunteers.

It costs us approximately $1 to feed an elderly person for a single day. Incorporating a community garden into our Village Pantry Program will be very beneficial due to the frequent fluctuation of local food prices. They will ensure our limited resources are maximized for the greatest good, and that they have a lasting impact in the lives we touch. When you donate a dollar for seedlings, you ensure we can feed more elderly people during the next harvest season.

Beyond buying and planting seedlings, your donation will purchase compost and manure from local farmers to enhance the soil quality. We’ll also be able mobilize volunteers to fetch water when the rains slow down, and the wells dry up. Supporting our community gardens ensures that our crops have a great chance of success.

Please consider donating to our Village Pantry Community Gardens to ensure adequate nutritional supplies for our seniors when they need it the most.