Family Volunteer Days @FISH Food Bank Garden

This community project provides fresh produce and herbs to local residents who experience food insecurity and is made possible through the combined efforts of the Spirit of Grace Church, FISH Food Bank, Central Gorge Master Gardeners, and community volunteers.

Last summer, a total of 1,200 pounds of fresh produce was grown for FISH Food Bank clients. Food insecurity in our community has increased, and the garden has recently been expanded to accommodate this need. Some crops have already been planted for this seasons’ harvest, and more will be planted soon.

Community involvement in this project is key to its success, and all are invited to join in on this volunteer effort on Saturday mornings.
Just show up at the FISH Food Bank Garden where Central Gorge Master Gardeners will be offering hands-on gardening education to all community volunteers. These sessions will occur each Saturday, except on holiday weekends. Volunteers will be able to learn sustainable gardening practices while working the soil that the Missoula floods deposited throughout our area. Volunteers will also learn how temperature affects seed germination. Around 10 AM, everyone can attend a free workshop on the Three Sisters companion planting system that has been used in North America by indigenous people for thousands of years, and how this planting system benefits the environment.

Kids are always welcome to come along with the adults in their lives to the FISH Food Bank Garden! The Growing Gardeners Kids’ Corner will be presented on June 1 and August 3 for kids of all ages. There’s also a fenced playground next to the garden.
The Central Gorge Master Gardener program is a division of OSU Hood River County Extension Service and provides beginning and continuing gardening education to home gardeners.