Jun 25, 2012
08:00 AM
Grow A Row or work in the garden for Operation Hope
Image courtesy of CT Green Scene
Three years ago, Eleanor Fraser, a petite Scottish woman with a wide-brimmed hat and a fire in her belly, took it upon herself to start a garden for Operation Hope. She applied for a plot at the community garden site on Warde Terrace. She got volunteers to help her. She got donations for seeds and fertilizer. But, she didn’t stop there.
The following year, Fraser kicked off a town-wide initiative to Grow A Row for the non-profit organization that feeds thousands each year. No need to bother your neighbors with your excess tomatoes or your bushel of zucchini, just bring them on down to the pantry at Operation Hope.
“You don’t have to torture your friends with your extras!” said Fraser.
Both of these endeavors have proven to be very successful. But, like any good idea, it needs to have legs of its own to continue running. Fraser is hoping to get more volunteers to help out this summer in the garden as well as more residents to dedicate a row from their garden to Operation Hope.
Carla Miklos, Executive Director at Operation Hope, would also like to see more community members step up and help out. So many of the people they serve don’t get the kind of fresh vegetables on a daily basis as those who can grow their own.
“This effort is a wonderful example of people coming together to help those in need. Fresh produce is a luxury for people struggling to make ends meet, and it helps provide much needed nutrition for their families,” said Carla Miklos, Executive Director at Operation Hope. “We are grateful to all who choose to participate in our Grow A Row campaign.”
This past season, Fraser said she was lucky enough to work with buildOn, a volunteer initiative through Central High School in Bridgeport. The students have helped her get the garden ready for the summer. She’s hoping to get enough volunteers to start a weekly schedule for weeding and watering.
“We’re also hoping to do a fall and winter crop,” she said.
For more information about the Grow A Row campaign, contact Operation Hope at (203) 292-5587 and let them know how you can help. To volunteer in the Warde Terrace garden, contact Eleanor Fraser at fraser210@gmail.com.
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