By Michelle G. Lyerly
For the Salisbury Post”We know people cannot find peace when their stomachs are empty or full of the wrong things,” project coordinator Marilyn Marks of the Society of St. Andrew prayed as volunteers gathered Saturday morning at Frank Patterson Farm to glean tomatoes for the hungry.
Believing that hunger results not from a shortage of food, but poor stewardship, the Society of St. Andrew takes seriously the call of Leviticus 19:10 ó “Leave the gleanings for the poor and hungry” ó through gleaning unmarketable, yet perfectly good produce in hopes of combating hunger in the U.S.
It is food that would otherwise be thrown away.
“It’s the best organization that I know of that doesn’t involve money; it’s non-profit,” supplying food to missions, senior citizen homes, and soup kitchens, among other organizations, said Sylvester Brown, who has volunteered with St. Andrews seven years and supervises some of the operations.
“We pick anything the farmer has left: watermelon, cantaloupe, squash of all kinds, peaches, apples, blackberries, cabbage, corn and okra,” Brown said.
“We pick for communities, churches, anybody that needs help,” said volunteer of four years Arthur Davis.
According to Charlotte Area Coordinator Janet Connor, this is the third gleaning of Frank Patterson’s tomato field.
“We’re going to try to get as much as we can out of that field,” said Connor, adding that Patterson Farm has “been a very generous donor for several years.”
“I’ve never seen so many tomatoes in my life and I’m from the country!” exclaimed gleaner Lynn Baucom.
Pastor Chris Cookhorne of Bethel Worship Center in Charlotte has been working 12 years with the Society of St. Andrew and his church has gleaned approximately 20,000 pounds of produce.
“Frank Patterson is a big blessing to our ministry. Frank grows the best tomatoes. His farm is always well-kept. I’ve been on farms where there are snakes and bugs galore, but not Frank’s” Cookhorne said, adding that his gleanings will go straight to the church’s food pantry, ministering to 700 families.
Joining Cookhorne in the field were sons Christopher, 13, Matthew, 12 and Joshua, 9, and nephew Brian, 17.
For son Christopher, volunteering counts toward his community service hours at school.
“Most of the food we get goes to people who don’t have much,” Christopher said. He added that he appreciates the thank-you notes people send to the ministry. “It just lets me know people are appreciative of what we do.”
First-time volunteer Hannah Penner, 7, summed up the project in one word: “Caring.”
Gavin Pickron of Charlotte found out about this ministry a few years ago and said, “It’s one thing where you know what you do has an immediate effect on someone’s life.”
“Well I think we’re all called to serve the Lord in any capacity. It’s all about making life better for someone who’s less fortunate,” said volunteer Michelle Beam.
Charlene Davidson is also happy to lend a hand and said, “You know it’s a really powerful, beautiful thing when people get to reap the benefits of others’ hard work and love.”
The Society of St. Andrew is an ecumenical organization founded 25 years ago by two Methodist ministers in Big Island, Va., with the mission of providing “healthy nutritious produce to society’s most vulnerable through innovative cost-effective programs.”
Anyone may volunteer. Prospective volunteers are advised to contact Connor, the Charlotte area coordinator, at 704-517-9606.
nnnContact Michelle G. Lyerly at 704-932-3336 or mlyerly@kannapoliscitizen.com.