Local gardeners from Amador and Calaveras county are now utilizing their skills to benefit others. Gardeners ranging from expert to amateur are working together with the Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency food bank, or ATCAA, by donating home grown produce to help curb a rising number of hungry and homeless. The idea is so simple it’s almost ingenious. "When you're out there putting out your garden, put in an extra row," said Lee Kimball, food bank director.

The effects of our current economic downturn have hit home, and the food bank representatives believe that personal contributions begin in your own backyard. The food bank can not take complete credit for the idea. The Plant-a-Row program is mentioned in the popular book, “Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul”.

Kimball thought it was a great idea and immediately went to work implementing the program locally. Additionally, people with chickens are encouraged to donate their extra eggs to supply more protein fortified contributions. In 2007, the ATCAA food bank was only able to provide an average of 2.25 pounds of food per person per month, Kimball said. They served an average of 11,000 people per month. Master gardeners will be available to answer questions and offer advice to people interested in participating. The food bank asks that all interested gardeners sign up by calling 984-3960. For more information on Plant-A-Row for the Hungry, visit www.gardenwriters.org.