Temple’s Team Glean Harvests for Plough

Originally published in the Hebrew Watchman – October, 2020

Throughout the summer and early fall 2020, Temple Israel joined a nationwide effort to end hunger and reduce food waste through gleaning — the practice of redistributing quality produce that otherwise would be discarded. Every Thursday afternoon, Temple volunteers, ages 21+, gathered at the Agricenter Farmers’ Market to collect fruit and vegetables that were generously donated by the vendors there and then delivered the produce to Plough Towers.

While at Plough Towers, the volunteers put the produce into bags to make it easy for the residents to take what they wanted the next day. COVID-19 safety procedures were followed at the Agricenter Farmers’ Market and at Plough Towers.

“The residents at Plough Towers loved the beautiful and fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Leigh Hendry, Plough Towers Executive Director. “It was a treat for them to have healthy and delicious food delivered right to them, especially during this challenging time in the world.”

Temple volunteers collected a total of 1,617 pounds of produce for Plough Towers residents this year. We look forward to gleaning again next spring and summer!

Temple’s Team Glean and Team Read programs are made possible by the generosity and vision of Judy and Nick Ringel, their children, and grandchildren in memory of Ernestine Greenberger.