The numbers are in:   3121 pounds of fresh vegetables and berries have been donated to the Sky Valley Food Bank this year thanks to the committed work of volunteers.
 
“The garden this year has been amazing and has given us the ability to provide fresh and nutritious produce to our clients,” says Neil Watkins, Executive Director of the Sky Valley Food Bank. “It has surpassed the amount of food produced since we started recording over 10 years ago.”

The quarter acre community garden is named in honor of Julia V. Morris, the original founder of the Sky Valley Food Bank. The City of Monroe, Boys and Girls Club, East County Senior Center and Food Bank provide oversight for the garden which is run by volunteers.  WSU Snohomish County Master Gardeners has provided gardening expertise and leadership over the years, with varying success recruiting volunteers.    “Marilee has been a tireless leader in getting the garden to where it is today, putting in countless hours while sharing her gardening wisdom with new and experienced gardeners alike,” says Dankers.

In 2010  the garden began to falter as volunteers wore down and there was a threat of losing the garden.  But this is a garden that refuses to die.  Martha Dankers, WSU Master Gardener, stepped in and gathered up the community partners to create a plan to save the garden.  Marilee Schneider, also a WSU Master Gardener, and Snohomish resident, stepped in to provide the management leadership and vegetable expertise to not only keep the garden going but bring it to a new high. Volunteers from the Monroe Garden Club, Senior Center and other community members have been key to this success. Marilee hopes to make the garden a training site for the WSU Snohomish County Extension new training program, “Growing Groceries Volunteer Mentor“ with the goal of showing how anyone can grow their own fresh produce, no matter how large their yard or gardening knowledge.

On Saturday, November 3, 2012, there will be a work party at the JVM Garden from 9 AM to 12, followed by a potluck Garden Volunteer Celebration at the East County Senior Center. The garden is located on 233 Sky River Parkway, Monroe, next to the Sky Valley Food Bank.  Volunteers who helped with the garden as well those interested in learning more are welcome to attend.  For more information, call 425-870-4597.

It’s a pleasure for all of us to send students back to school with new supplies and smiles on their faces.  Thank you to our great community for all the backpacks, binders, pencils, crayons, paper and other supplies donated, and a special thanks to Costco for the donation of  300 new backpacks.

Neil Watkins
Executive Director, SKY VALLEY FOOD BANK

Thanks to these caring folks and the generous fair attendees, we collected nearly 40,000 pounds of non-perishable foods for our 19 food banks. Patrons attending the fair were given free admission with a minimum donation of 3 cans of food, with most people donating far more.

This food drive provides a much needed boost for our food banks at a time when our supplies are dwindling.  We really appreciate all the time and effort that was given by the fairgrounds staff and the parks department to make this a wonderfully successful event.

Neil Watkins
President, SNOHOMISH COUNTY FOOD BANK COALITION
Executive Director, SKY VALLEY FOOD BANK