Page 15 - July 2019 Traveler

Sunday, July 14, we will have our second Senior Disciples service.

We are honoring Bob Bagley, Alan Bloomfield, Nat and Sally Blonien, Ken and Lolita Ditzler,
Gerald Duerst, Myron and Lou Ann Earsley, Harriet Fiedler, Neva Gunz, Janet Hansen, Maria
Himmler, Glenn and Elaine Hodgson, Helen Jones, Duane and Carol Kinney, Richard Koch, Bev-
erly Lewis, Val Mallory, Bill Merritt, Clarence (Skip) and Janet Metzler, Nancy Norland, Nora
Ostby, Robert and Janice Palmer, Bill and Beverly Preston, Gaynette Schauer, Roberta Strat-
mann, Jean Swale, Dale Vincent, and Laura Zissler. While not all our honorees will be able to
be at the service, we acknowledge all that they have done for Trinity and previous churches

where they belonged. There will be a reception following the service.

Durand Plant-A-Row Drop Off Site Begins Ninth Year Opening July 8

The Durand Drop Off Site for the Plant-A-Row program will begin Monday July 8 on the NE
corner of the square from 10:00 am until Noon and every Monday through the end of Sept.

Here’s the good news about what has happened in those eight years. Generous vegetable gar-
deners who were able to grow more vegetables than their families can use brought the abun-
dance of their gardens to the drop off location. Since the very first year when 1,915 lbs. of
fresh produce was donated, the total is now over 32,000 lbs. over the nine year period. We
had three bonus years one with 7,000 lbs. and two years with more than 5,000 lbs. and other
years over 3,000 lbs. An amazing contribution from Durand area gardeners.

PAR is a nationwide program to encourage gardeners to donate their extra produce to those in
need and to help facilitate the distribution of those vegetables. It is organized in Winnebago
County by the Master Gardeners of the U of I Extension Service in order to help low income
families improve their diet with fresh, nutritious vegetables. How does the produce reach
those in need? The donated vegetables are distributed to the elderly and needy in the Durand
area by longtime volunteer Sue Goodin and the remainder is taken to the Rock River Valley
Pantry in Rockford for distribution to those who qualify for that program.

Please know that any produce, in any quantity, is most welcome. And do feel free to leave
produce at the drop off site on Monday mornings before 10:00 and rest assured that the vege-
tables will reach those in need. Also, anyone who has produce to share and cannot get it to
the drop off site at the regular time is most welcome to call Master Gardener Barbara Flores
at the number below and arrangements can easily be made to get the produce to those in need.

Vegetables can also be taken to the extension office 1040 North Second Street, Rockford, IL
61107 or the Rock River Valley Pantry at 421 S. Rockton Ave. weekdays during business
hours. For more information about the program, please contact the extension office at 986-
4357. To learn more about the Durand drop off, please call Barbara at 815-289-8602. Or
email bafheartland@gmail.com.

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