Pickers needed to help

Pickers needed to help

feed the hungry

This is not a call for help-this is a “CRY” for you to come to the rescue of a crop of vegetables that belongs on the plates of our hungry neighbors in 25 counties and nine cities served by the non-profit Volunteer Farm near Woodstock. We need the help of individuals, families, and groups of all sizes.

First, we have six acres of potatoes that must be harvested before they rot from the uneven rains we have been expe‘ riencing this year. It is a simple task to walk in the little trench that has been dug by the tractor to expose the tatters ready for plucking. From your bucket the spuds go on to the parked truck of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank for distribution to some 500 food pantries.

We have three acres of bush beans and tomatoes reaching maturity, and they need picking. This is an easy task for children of all ages. (About 70 per cent of our volunteers are under 18.)

Our volunteers normally work from about 8 a.m. until noon, thus avoiding the hot afternoon sun. Bring plenty of water to drink, gloves and a hat. We cannot wait until the 4' weather turns cool again-people are hungry now.

Pick a day to volunteer by going to www.volunteer farm.org The Calendar shows what we plan to do each day, the number of volunteers needed and the number registered. You can sign-up online, and tell us how many friends you are bringing. For those under 18 who will not be accompanied to the farm by a parent, a Liability Waiver Form must be downloaded from our web, signed by a parent and carried with the youngster to the farm.

They currently need volunteers particularly this weekend.

When you visit their website, you can check out how many residents in counties throughout Virginia receive help from ■ their food bank.

Rappahannock County is one of them.