Just reading a recent article in the McKnights.con Daily Updates about the report about seniors creating the worlds largest tea cozy! “Residents at more than 300 Bupa care nursing homes from New Zealand to Spain to England sent in hand-made patches for the tea cozy—a padded covering for a teapot to keep the contents hot. Residents at Bupa nursing homes in Hertfordshire, UK, assembled the giant tea cozy, securing the seniors a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records, according to the Watford Observer. The tea cozy reportedly measures nearly 13 feet tall, more than 36 feet in circumference and is comprised of 1,924 squares of wool which, if unraveled, would span more than 40 miles in length.”

Think what would happen if we unleashed the gardening talents of seniors to help plant extra vegetables for the needy.  This is the generation that grew up on ‘Victory Gardens’ and have the technical expertise to raise vegetables for good causes.  Community garden programs are taking off in a big way.  What can’t we enlist the help of older adults living in senior residences to plant tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers for people in need of help.

The network of organizations is there is help collect and distribute the produce.  Groups such as PhilAbundance (http://www.philabundance.org) are dedicated to ending hunger through programs called “Fresh for All”.  Philabundance estimates that there are approximately 900,000 people in the Delaware Valley that may need help with food.  Through our 600+ agency network, food is distributed to approximately 65,000 people every week.

The Garden Writers Association (http://www.gardenwriters.org) have a program called Plant A Row for the Hungry. The purpose of PAR is to create and sustain a grassroots program whereby garden writers utilize their media position with local newspapers, magazines and radio/TV programs to encourage their readers/listeners to donate their surplus garden produce to local food banks, soup kitchens, and service organizations to help feed America’s hungry. PAR’s role is to provide focus, direction, and support to volunteer committees who execute the programs at the local level.

Consider starting a Community Garden Program that will truly help the community.  The benefits are many – for the community who will receive freash locally grown produce and for the older adults who continue to be a vital part of their community.  Besides, what is everyone going to do with all of this zucchini during the summer!  There are only so many door sills that you can deposit them on.

Community Gardens for Older Adults