The Plant a Row for the Hungry campaign grew nationally as an idea from the Garden Writers Association of America in 1995. Citizen and community gardens were asked to plant an extra row during gardening season to donate fresh vegetables to area hunger-relief organizations.
More than a decade later, the idea has blossomed with a group of officers from the Richmond Police Department’s Third Precinct, with tremendous support from Lowe’s, into not just planting a row but an entire garden. The yield from the garden’s crops will go to the Central Virginia Foodbank.
“I suggested the Plant a Row campaign as a project for our precinct and the idea took off like wild weeds,” Third Precinct Sgt. Chris Jernigan said. “I took the idea to Lowe’s to see if they could just help us build it and they agreed to donate everything we needed to get the garden off the ground – from soil to plants. It’s the best example of community spirit I’ve seen in a long time.”
Third Precinct officers will pick up the materials for the garden 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, from their community partner in this effort – the Lowe’s at 2501 Sheila Lane. Representatives from Lowe’s and the Central Virginia Foodbank will be on hand to greet the gardeners.
