Do you have a gardening green thumb so prolific you don’t know what to do with all your extra produce?
Do you have a gardening green thumb so prolific you don’t know what to do with all your extra produce?
Whether it’s apples or oranges, papayas or peas, The Knights of Columbus will ride to the rescue.
Members of the KOC East Hawaii chapter formed in May recently launched a drive to assist the Food Basket — the Big Island’s food bank — by gathering fruits and veggies that otherwise would go to waste.
“Knights’ Harvest is seeking members of the community with excess harvest to join us in this ‘Harvest of Love’ by allowing us to pick your fruits and vegetables, any time of the year, for donation to the food bank,” said spokesman Ray Dustin.
“Should you have, or know of anyone who has excess fruit or vegetables to harvest, please contact us,” Dustin said. “You have the fruits and vegetables. We have the desire and manpower to harvest them and take them to those who would greatly benefit from this nutritional ‘Harvest of Love’.”
To help in the effort, call Dr. Joseph D’Angelo at 430-5635.
On May 2, the Knights of Columbus Council No. 15952 — the Saint Marianne Council — was formed in Hilo. This is the first council on the east side of Hawaii Island.
The Knights of Columbus was formed by Father Michael J. McGivney on Feb. 6, 1882, in New Haven, Connecticut. The Knights of Columbus consists of Catholic men, and the organization was founded for the purpose of “serving one’s church, community and family with virtue.”
There are Knights of Columbus councils throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam, Saipan, the Bahamas, Poland and South Korea.
Knights’ Harvest is dedicated to providing needed nutritional food to the less fortunate in the community.
“Knights’ Harvest networks with local residents and organizations to solicit those who have fruit and vegetables in overabundance. Often, for lack of need or inability to pick, the food falls to the ground and may go to waste,” Dustin explained.
Volunteers will pick fruits and vegetables from backyards, gardens and small farms in the general area bounded by Pepeekeo, Volcano, Kapoho and Kalapana. The KOC members will deliver the bounty to the Food Basket in Hilo.