The Gleaning Network of Texas: A Great Cause to Support!

 

The Gleaning Network of Texas is a nonprofit, grassroots organization whose goal is to use our state’s existing surplus fresh produce resources to help alleviate hunger and improve nutrition for food-insecure Texans.

The Network brings together growers, volunteers, and service agencies to provide food for the hungry from fruits and vegetables left in the field after the harvest and other unutilized supplies

 

Where the produce comes from…

Many growers and food producers have excess produce in their fields that is either plowed under or turned into compost. When the Gleaning Network is able to get gleaners into these fields and orchards, we can pick the excess produce and transport these thousands of pounds of produce to food assistance agencies throughout local areas in Texas.

 

 

The Need	The Waste
Hunger in this country is a reality.	America, even Texas, is a place of abundance. However…
33 million Americans regularly go without food.
Over 3 million of them are Texans	…the USDA estimates that 20% of all food grown in this country is wasted – because it”s either missed during mechanical harvesting or not commercially marketable.
Women, children, the homeless, the unemployed, and the working poor are all impacted by hunger

With the food that is wasted annually,

Texans could feed all the hungry people in our state.

How To Get Involved 

Here are some ways YOU can be part of the solution to hunger:

• Make Financial Contributions: We’re very dependent on donations from individuals, corporations, clubs, churches, and other organizations. The Network can also use in-kind donations such as printing, truck rentals, and a variety of other items. Click here.
• Monthly Sponsors – Choose a month and set a fundraising goal. The method of fundraising is up to you!
• Be a Volunteer: We have many groups and individuals out in the fields to glean, but we are always looking for more! Some come out throughout the growing season and others make it a once-a-year occasion. Here are our regular volunteer positions.
• Field Gleaner: Join us for a few hours in the field whenever you are available.
• Gleaning Advocate: Speak to local groups and churches about The Gleaning Network, or represent us at a local organizational fair or market.
• Field Supervisor: Supervise a group in the field for a gleaning event.
• Agency Liason: Serve as the contact person for your favorite/local food assistance program, and help coordinate the delivery of gleaned produce.
• Click here to volunteer for one of these positions.
• Let us know about Growers & Agencies: Growers generously donate their excess produce, and we are always looking for more farmers to sign-on to share their crops. We need you to also let us know about local food assistance agencies that are able to accept our produce deliveries. Click here to see who benefits. Click here to see who shares their produce.
• Tell the Story: We are dependent on people like you to tell your friend and families about gleaning. Share the story and invite folks to join the Network with their efforts and contributions. Find us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (username: gleantexas).

 

 Hunger in Texas

Could you stand to go without eating for an entire day because there is no food in the pantry and no money in your pocket and still be effective at work or school? Minimum wage in the US is now $5.85 per hour. That’s 11,700 before taxes.

The Federal Poverty Guideline is $20,000 for a family of four.

• In 2008, food prices nationwide have increased 9%
• Of Texans receiving food assistance from agencies, agencies report that:
• 33% choose between food and medicine
• 41% choose between paying utility bills and buying food
• 74% have incomes below the Federal Poverty Guideline ($20,000 annually for a family of four)
• 68% are food insecure

Food insecurity includes not having enough food, reducing the quality of food purchased, feeding children unbalanced diets, or skipping meals so children can eat.

The Gleaning Network of Texas

• Spends only about 8 cents per pound to glean and transport produce
• Provides the produce to local food assistance agencies at no cost
• Works to increase the quality of nutrition, which creates a healthier environment for education and work.

 

The Gleaning Network of Texas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in accordance with the Internal Revenue Service code.

The Gleaning Network of Texas ~ P.O. Box 7103, Dallas, TX 75209-0103 ~ 972-814-0928 ~ glean@gleantexas.org

 

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