“There is a great food need, now more than ever,” said Tammy Graeber, the founder of The Garden of Giving, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization located in Saylorsburg.

She is very excited about the changes that will make it easier for older volunteers to work in the garden.

“We created an area The Golden Harvester Senior Area and Youth Education Center, thanks to a new grant.

“This is amazing, We had these raised beds built last fall, so it will be easier for seniors to help plant and weed because they are waist high. We also had benches built so they can sit down when they want to rest. I want to make cushions for the benches when I get the time,” Graeber said.

The Monroe County Bar Association gave the funding for the raised beds and benches.

Need for volunteers

This spring volunteers have been sparse, and planting really needs to be finished up.

Right now they are trying to get the last set of seedlings in, and could use a few strong men to pound the tomato stakes into the ground.

“Volunteers are essential to the success of the garden. Regardless of their skill level everyone is welcome. We will teach them the skills they need,” she said.

Whatever time you can give to the garden is appreciated, and Graeber welcomes schools and scouting programs that want to volunteer.

One plus is if you are a volunteer at the garden you will also benefit because volunteers are allowed to take home some of the fruits of their labors.

Brittany Ulate-Mora, a ninth-grade MCTI student, is volunteering her required 20 hours of community service to the garden.

“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for my community service, and my teacher Robert Yarnall suggested I volunteer here, and I am glad I did,” she said.

“I just want people to recognize that we are continuing to be here and we are growing. You know it will be easier this year, because all our beds are in raised beds,” Graeber said. We are letting the land lay fallow and we put cover crops on so that the nutrients can be put back into the soil.

The Garden of giving is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.