Florida gardening: Garden and give generously to help those with food insecurity
Memorial Day 2022 is Monday, May 30. This day was first observed on May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.
It was initially known as Decoration Day, and the order was designated “for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country….”
General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic via General Order No. 11, May 5, 1868 wrote, “Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers … let us in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and to assist those whom they have left among us as a sacred charge upon the Nation’s gratitude – the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.” The original Order No. 11 may be viewed here (https://loganmuseum.org/general-order/ )
This year, 2022, has been challenging for some of our neighbors. Several have lost loved ones in service to our country. Others have suffered losses that make life very difficult, so even providing food for the family has become a difficult task.
In the spirit of General John Logans' order that charges us to pledge to aid and assist those left among us, gardeners can help end food insecurity and hunger.
There are those in our community that do not have enough to eat. Fresh produce is often the most challenging and expensive for those in need to acquire. Your garden can make a difference. It takes little to plant a few extra plants and donate the abundance.
The Treasure Coast Food Bank (TCFB) has a mission to obtain and distribute food and needed products through partner agencies to help alleviate hunger in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Counties. They gladly accept fresh produce and cash donations at the Distribution Center located at 401 Angle Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34947. Please email Chief Operating Officer Erin Cox at Ecox@tcfoodbank.org to set up a drop-off time if you’d like to donate.
They will also pick up large quantities of food. There are Food Drop Off sites in each county they serve. Learn more about the TCFB at https://stophunger.org/ or call 772-489-3034.
The TCFB is holding an online auction from May 27 – June 6, supporting their efforts, including their Summer Feeding Program that serves thousands of children during the summer when school lunches may be unavailable. There are many items, including gift baskets, Disney tickets, works from local artists, and certificates for services, including from me for a virtual consultation in your green space. Visit StopHunger.org/Auction (https://tcfoodbank.afrogs.org/#/index) and bid. All of the proceeds from the auction go to the feeding programs.
Make Memorial Day personal and meaningful this year. Visit cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes, participate in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. and pledge to support the survivors of our fallen dead and render aid to disabled veterans.
Garden and give generously.
Carol Cloud Bailey is a landscape counselor and horticulturist. Send questions to carol@yard-doc.com or visit www.yard-doc.com for more information.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Garden and give generously to those in need this Memorial Day
