MARYSVILLE, Ohio — Millions of Americans from all walks of life are struggling to make ends meet and in some cases, even put food on the table.
An estimated one in eight Americans suffers from hunger and that number is climbing for families and children.
Now more than ever, these challenging economic times provide opportunities for all Americans to pitch in and help. The simple act of gardening provides that opportunity.
Feeding the hungry
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Plant a Row for the Hungry and Feeding America have all joined forces in an effort to provide fresh produce to the hungry this summer and to ask Americans to take the GroGood pledge: Grow a garden for the greater good.
To launch the GroGood pledge campaign, ScottsMiracle-Gro will donate 1 million pounds of produce and call on Americans to help double that donation by pledging to grow and donate an additional 1 million pounds of fresh produce to help feed those at risk for hunger.
“One million pounds may sound like a lot, but if just 40,000 people take the GroGood pledge and donate one full reusable grocery bag — roughly the equivalent of 25 pounds of produce — we’d hit our goal and help feed approximately 1.4 million Americans,” said Su Lok, director, corporate and community partnerships, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company.
Do your fault
Fulfilling the pledge is as easy as planting an edible garden — adding a pot, plot or row for those in need — and donating the extra harvest to a participating soup kitchen, food or hunger relief agency.
To get started, consumers can visit www.scotts.com/grogood or www.GroGood.com to take the pledge, obtain tips and techniques on how to grow an edible garden, and how to find information on local food agencies that accept fresh produce donations.
Community gardens
In addition, ScottsMiracle-Gro, along with its partners, Keep America Beautiful, Garden Writers Association, Plant a Row for the Hungry, the National Gardening Association and Franklin Park Conservatory, will install community gardens in cities across the United States to encourage and support participation in the GroGood program.
The produce grown in these gardens will be donated to local food agencies and soup kitchens.
Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity with a network of more than 200 food banks and 63,000 local food agencies, will be the primary beneficiaries of the GroGood produce donations.
Learn more
For additional information on the GroGood pledge, edible gardening resources or how to locate a local food agency that accepts fresh produce, visit www.scotts.com/grogood or www.GroGood.com.
