Community Garden thefts disappointing
We are nearing the end of another fabulous growing season at the Community Garden and it’s not over yet.
Harvesting time is in full gear and what a harvest it is. The beauty and abundance of three months of love and hard work is at its peak. Just take a walk on the paths and you will see the amazing results our gardeners have had. If the giant sunflowers haven’t caught your attention, then the beautiful beds filled with organically grown vegetables of every type will.
This season, we have experienced vandalism and theft. Tools from the shed were taken and over the past few weeks plotters have noticed that vegetables from their private beds and the Food Bank beds have been removed — without permission. Think about how discouraging it is to labor for over three months in anticipation of eating all the different vegetables planted in the spring only to find them missing at harvest time. Our donations to the Food Bank are for those truly in need of food. That’s an important part of what the garden is all about — community and sharing.
It may seem trivial to think that picking a tomato or a few carrots or squash from plots that have so many is OK even if they don’t belong to you. It’s not. It’s a violation of trust in the project and in the community. It is also called stealing.
The Community Garden is a project that is now in it’s sixth season. We have 72 plots of which seven are dedicated to our local Food Bank. Volunteers have committed to planting, watering, weeding, harvesting and delivering all of the vegetables grown in each of these plots. The other 65 plots are rented by members of our community each season.
Their plot fees help cover the expenses for water, needed equipment and miscellaneous items that require replacing over the seasons. Rarely are there funds leftover from season to season as we have tried to keep the plot rates low enough to afford people the pleasure of growing their own food and to cover the bare expenses needed to keep this project going.
I believe in our Community Garden and these acts of disregard for others property are discouraging. Community by definition is “a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.” We have that.
If someone needs food for their table, there are honorable ways to help that happen. Our Food Bank is one. And our gardeners can help out as well. All you have to do is ask. You can call me (265-9828) and I will get in touch with our gardeners to see what they can offer. Or if you see a plot owner at the garden ask them if they have some vegetables they can spare. I’m pretty sure they’ll help. And if you spot something at the garden that doesn’t seem quite right, call me and let me know. I will respond.
Pat Wentworth is coordinator for the Community Garden in Sandpoint.