The staff at Sara’s Pantry, is asking gardeners and fresh produce producers to add an extra row of vegetables this year for donation to Glenboro’s food security program.

“Fresh produce is one of the staples of our monthly food hampers,” says Kyrsten Godard, Sara’s Pantry Secretary. “Buying fresh produce can be expensive on an already tight budget; we are hoping to enlist the support of master gardeners, home gardeners, garden clubs, youth groups, seniors, schools, churches, local growers, community gardens and larger scale producers to share the surplus of their harvest with Sara’s Pantry this year.”

‘The Grow-A-Row program started in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1986, initiated by Ron and Eunice O’Donovan. The O’Donovan’s had produced more potatoes in their backyard garden than their family could consume. They donate the excess to Winnipeg Harvest, their local food bank. Since then, the Grow-A-Row program has been adopted by many other Canadian cities,’ states Sara’s Pantry Media Release.

Glenboro Home hardware has partnered with Sara’s Pantry by donating all their leftover garlic, potato, and onion seed. Vegetable seed is available for anyone to use and can be accessed by contacting Tracy Rimmer at tracy.rimmer@gmail.com or by calling Kyrsten Godard at 204-526-0688.

Godard says this is the first year they’ve tried the Grow-A-Row initiative in their community and is excited to see the veggies come through their doors.   “The vegetable produce is not something that gets donated a lot.  We receive a lot of the basics like the boxed goods and non-perishables and so we are always in need of the fresh veggies, and we know how important it is for health.”

“The fact that we can bring everybody together to do this too, is an amazing opportunity for this program as well,” she adds.

The Glenboro food bank was established in the fall of 2020 by a group of dedicated community members who recognized the need in their community.  Sara’s Pantry currently provides an average of 20 hampers a month to families in need of supplemental food. The local volunteer organization accepts pre-registration and distributes the hampers bi-monthly from the Pantry location at 504 Railway Avenue in Glenboro.

“There are probably more people out there who could really benefit from it and haven’t reached out to us yet," shares Godard.  "So, I hope as we reach the 1-year-mark we continue to get more people.”  

Due to Covid restrictions, it’s been a challenge getting the word out about Sara’s Pantry, host fundraising events, as well as plan for a Grand Opening of the facility, but Godard is hopeful once restrictions loosen they’ll be able to share more with their community.

Vegetable producers wishing to make a sizable donation can request pickup or arrange a suitable drop time by contacting Charlene Claeys-Godard, Sara’s Pantry Operating Manager at saraspantry2020@gmail.com.

Sara’s Pantry accepts monetary donations as well as non-perishable food donations.

Monetary donations can be sent to Sara’s Pantry at Box 495, Glenboro, MB R0K 0H0 or dropped off to Rimmer Technology Partners at 504 Broadway Avenue or Westoba Credit Union Glenboro Branch.

Non-perishable food donations can be made in Glenboro at the Glenboro CO-OP, D + A Foods, Westoba Credit Union, Glenboro Pharmacy, Glenboro United Church, as well as in Cypress River at the Cypress River United Church and Spring Creek Farms.

Those looking to access food from Sara’s Pantry are encouraged to email saraspantry2020@gmail.com  or visit Sara’s Pantry on Facebook at @saraspantryglenboro. Food hampers are available bi-monthly with pre-registration.