Harvest for Vashon volunteer outreach has taken on many different forms over the last two years, and a consistent factor to account for is the unique profile of island neighbors. The island has a population of 10,000, most of whom are elderly residents and young families..
Agencies are the third side of the triangle of gleaning. Agencies are the places where gleaned food is distributed to those who are in need. Agencies can take a variety of forms. The goal is to get the produce onto the tables of hungry people as quickly and fresh as possible..
Farmers are foundational to the gleaning network. Growers must know that gleaning operations are not trying to “take advantage” of them, or do any harm to their crops, land, or business. It is essential that they understand that we have their interests at heart, as well as the needs of the hungry in our communities..
Volunteers represent one side of the triangle. Like most gleaning programs, the SoSA Gleaning Network depends on volunteers willing to give their time. Many people are looking for the opportunity to give back to the community..
The donor relations efforts are both components of SoSA’s overall marketing and visibility efforts. Volunteer and donor outreach and maintenance is in and of itself marketing. Tabling at conferences, visiting farms and distribution centers, and donating produce all highlight the efforts and significance of gleaning..
Farmers, growers, and residential growers and home gardeners provide the donations necessary for the Society of Saint Andrew to function. SoSA’s top priority is to offer amazing customer service to every food provider and reassure them that hungry Americans receive their food donations..
SoSA Florida’s diverse volunteer base runs the demographic and geographic spectrum. Throughout the entire state, our volunteers represent various ages, religions, orientations, creeds, and ethnicities. Outreach and recruitment efforts reflect this variety. In person outreach occurs at hunger related or environmental conferences, religious services, volunteer expos, schools, and community meetings..
Urban Abundance is still a small, very grassroots non-profit; in 2018-2020, VISTA was the only paid staff. As such, the BOD and staff maintain and leverage healthy community relations that support the organization’s work.
Urban Abundance harvests and tends backyard and community orchards in Clark County, WA. With just one staff person for outreach and programming, it helps to be intentional and realistic about marketing strategies, and leveraging community partnerships remains paramount to outreach efforts.
Urban Abundance has historically been funded by a recurring charitable donation, but maintaining donor relations with individual donors, corporate sponsors, and fruit donors is paramount to ensuring program sustainability..