No Drought at Trinity’s Urban Farm

Volunteers needed Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon and July 25, 4-6 p.m.

As of July 18, 835 pounds of food have already been harvested at Trinity’s urban farm. This year’s goal is 3,500 pounds and we are well on our way. The new drip-irrigation system installed last year is working wonders and the harvest is well ahead of schedule. A big thank you to all of the volunteers who have come out to help feed the hungry of downtown Cleveland!

Each Saturday, from now through October, anyone is welcome to join in the harvest. The farm is located at E. 35^th and Cedar Avenue and work takes place on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon. You don’t need to stay the entire time. Even volunteering for 30 minutes helps. Green beans, cabbage, apples, green peppers and tomatoes will be coming in soon and as many volunteers as possible are needed.

On Wednesday, July 25 volunteers are needed from 4-6 p.m. to work alongside a group from The Albert M. Higley Company. “I gave this group a tour last week,” says Scott Blanchard, urban farm leader and Trinity member, “and they were very impressed with the farm and were eager to interact with our volunteers.” If you can help that day, contact Anastasia Pantsios.

There are many other ways to support this neighborhood ministry:

Drop off donations. With a record harvest and the goal of using the produce to benefit as many neighborhood hunger programs as possible (there is an acute need in our area), surplus food donations – beyond what is used for Trinity’s A Place at the Table – are being made to the Cleveland Foodbank and Cedar Central Senior Center. If you can help, contact Scott Blanchard or Ginger Bitikofer.

Donate bags. Plastic, paper, canvas – all are needed. Drop off any day of the week at the box in Trinity’s coat room.

Assist on a grant proposal. On Sunday, July 22 at 9 a.m. attend the urban farm steering committee meeting and help complete a Neighborhood Connections grant proposal due Aug. 10. “Linda Lee has done a lot of work preparing this application,” says Blanchard. “But we still need help completing the proposal.”

Donate used inkjet cartridges. Bring your used inkjet cartridges to Trinity (sorry, Epson brand is not accepted, nor are toner/laser cartridges) and drop them in the recycle box in the coat room. All cartridges are sent to a recycling center in Pennsylvania and the money raised is used to purchase seeds, seedlings and other garden supplies.