Dear Editor:

The Garden of Giving would like to express heartfelt thanks to volunteers throughout the community for the support provided to us this year. With your help we were able to provide over 7,000 pounds of fresh vegetables to the following food banks: Supplemental Food Resource Center, Effort; Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network, Saylorsburg; Pocono Mountain Hunger Ministry, Mount Pocono; and Follow Me Foundation's Food for Friends, East Stroudsburg. We also served teh Soup Kitchens of St. Lukes Church, Stroudsburg; and Our Lady Queen of Peace, Brodheadsville.The number of volunteers who signed up is remarkable. Their diversity is also notable. They range from the Boy Scouts, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, local farmers, RSVP, Northampton Community College, parishioners of local churches and scores of other community residents.Many community residents, businesses and churches also contributed financially or provided in-kind donations or seeds, fertilizer, transportation and support for our fundraising events. We have made presentations to many civic groups and received wonderful feedback and support.As we officially close the Garden this year, we are already preparing for our next season. We are looking forward to working with our many volunteers who have been so supportive this year, and to providing wholesome food to local food banks. Our needs are many. Your continued support and contributions are welcome.Thank you for giving gladly, for sharing generously and for being so very special, helping us to accomplish our goal of nourishing those in need.Tammy S. Graber, president/founder, Lehighton