Tag: second harvest

Clear Sky Friday – Seeing Good 24/01

Brian Fullford1 Comment

IMAG0074CUMC Youth Group with citrus and Second Harvest truck

This past Saturday was the Second Harvest City Wide Citrus Glean in Jacksonville, FL. Officially the title is qualified as “Second Annual” as it was the second hear Second Harvest and Society of St. Andrew (SoSA) coordinated efforts to feed the hungry by picking fruit that would normally fall and rot.

My role was retained from 2013, which meant the responsibility of site coordinator for the San Jose area. Last year we had approximately 20 volunteers, and those could not reach all the houses on the list. Sunday found me gleaning an additional three homes. However, this year the volunteer count was approximately 80, which meant all houses on the list had their trees picked clean. Thanks to the work ethic of those in the field we were able to glean from an additional three houses. Those volunteers were out from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm, and thanks to the weather the day was more redeeming than expected.

From church youth groups to local business to mindful individuals, people from a variety of beliefs, cultures and socioeconomic areas gathered for a common goal: affording the less fortunate something many of us take for granted. From a 2011 Yahoo article:

“Almost 15 percent of households in America say they don’t have enough money to eat the way they want to eat,” Seligman said. Recent estimates show 49 million Americans make food decisions based on cost, she added.

Per Elliot Darkatsh with Second Harvest these were our weekend results:

In about 4 hours on a chilly Saturday, over 400 volunteers were deployed to pick from about 130 homes.

Here are the results (in lbs):

  • Potters House (westside):                  3039
  • Arlington:                                           3820
  • Chets Creek:                                       4002
  • San Jose:                                             7459
  • Mandarin:                                          8029

Total:     26,349 lbs of citrus!  This was a slight increase from last year, which considering the freeze this year is good.

I could not find my data for San Jose from last year, but I know we were far above that count.

Gleaning is a great way to meet new people and to be a positive impact for change in the world. I work with SoSA. Find one in your area.

SoSA

Second Harvest of North Florida

NPR Article

Mid-Atlantic Gleaning Network

USDA’s How to Glean

Gleaning Network of Southern Oregon

UK Gleaning

Gleaning the Fields blog

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Second Harvest City Wide Citrus Glean – Jacksonville, FL

Brian FullfordLeave a comment

Gleaning season is upon us. With the success of last year’s event the need for this year is even greater. Please considering volunteering at the most convenient site based on your location. The information below is directly related to the site I am coordinating.

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Happy New Year everyone. Based on previous conversations you had expressed interest in or have agreed to help with the 2nd Annual City Wide Citrus Glean. Below and attached is information specific to date, time, location, effort and contact information. Please ensure timely registration for the site I’m coordinating so Second Harvest can better understand any volunteer shortages and allocate accordingly.
Please forward this email to anyone you feel may also be interested in this event. Additionally, this volunteer opportunity will help satisfy Bright Futures requirements.
**If you have a truck, SUV or other large vehicle that could be used to transport the citrus please let me know. So far I have at least (1) SUV and (1) truck that has been offered up.**
What:
Second Harvest Citrus Drive
Where:
There are multiple sites across Jacksonville, however I am site coordinator for The Church of Jacksonville, 8313 Baycenter Rd – San Marco/Baymeadows. Map
 
When:
January 25, 2014 – 8:00am – 12:00pm
We may work beyond the designated stop time. Your participation is not required during or beyond the 4 hour window; you may leave as your schedule warrants.
 
About:
Last year this drive brought in over 24k lbs of residential citrus in about 4 hours!  Since then, the word has spread, and our donor database has DOUBLED.  That means we will need at least twice as many volunteers to accommodate all the additional homes, but it also means our goal for this year will be 50k lbs! The ages of those who volunteered for my site last year ranged from 8 years old and up. If you plan on brining younger children please be advised that falling fruit can be dangerous so proper observation should be maintained. I will be supplying limited hard hats, bags for collecting fruit and a variety of gleaning tools. If you have your own clippers or other gleaning material please feel free to bring them, but label them accordingly so they do not get mixed in with my tools.
Following are more detailed elements of gleaning, and specifically this event. I have attempted to preemptively address as many questions as possible, but I have no expectation all have been considered. If you have any questions please email, text, tweet or call me.
Informational Website:
Volunteer Registration Website:
I will make every effort to facilitate any registration questions. Should you need help beyond my ability please contact Second Harvest directly via information from their site.

Read this carefully, even if you have been gleaning before:

  • Attached is the liability waiver form that should be filled out, signed and brought to the gleaning event by everyone who is volunteering.
  • Attached is the official flyer for the event.
  • WEAR: Close-toed shoes (required) and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. It is also recommeded to bring a hat and gloves as needed. I would argue gloves are a necessity as you may be dealing with trees containing thorns (Myers Lemons) or can be scratched up by tree branches in general.
  • BRING: Plenty of water and liability waiver forms as well as any medication you may need, sun screen, bug spray and snacks as needed. If you have a bucket or a cloth grocery bag to pick fruit into and a citrus picker, please bring that too!
  • If you are lost or running late please call me. I will be supplying maps and contact information for your target homes to facilitate ease of access.

NOTE: Bathroom access may be limited, please use the restroom before you arrive. Last year access was given to the church, however bathroom access while gleaning should not be expected. 

Ground Rules:

  • Volunteers meet at Host site; collect tools, bins, maps
    • Volunteer teams- 3-4 people per tree, 10 trees in 3-4 hours
    • 200-250 lbs = 1-2 trees
    • These numbers are not absolute and I will work to facilitate groups/families are allocated to common sites.
  • Call ahead to each donor location to let them know you’re coming / gate access.  Ring doorbell upon arrival.
    • Donors have been contacted and confirmed prior to scheduling.
    • Donors have been notified of the date and time frame of gleaning.
  • Please no horseplay; these are people’s homes.  BE RESPECTFUL.
  • Only go into areas assigned and stay in groups that will be assigned on site.
  • Do not bring any pets, no exceptions.
  • Pickers go out to the homes and collect the fruit. Pickers with pickup trucks are especially valuable. Vans and SUVs are useful as well; the trunks of standard cars fill up too fast.  Home recycling bins work wonderfully; they are the right size and very sturdy.
Thank you for helping us ensure those in need are getting fed, and that food is not going to waste.