The organization is need of volunteers — can you help?
For five years, Bushels of Blessings, a ministry of the 1st Assembly of God in Carneys Point, has run a 21st century gleaning ministry where they have gathered produce from local farmers and distributed it to food pantries and organizations in the Delaware Valley. This food is provided for free.
In the 2015-2016 harvest season, Bushels of Blessings collected 215,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution. Volunteers go out to local farms and sort through second produce, store it in vegetable baskets and bring the food back to the distribution center. Here the food is sorted and prepared for pick up by organizations for their food pantry's. "Approximately 215,000 pounds of produce will provide approximately 1,100,000 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables", says Executive Director Michele Montemurno.
Six years ago, Michele Montemurno approached Pastor Holt about the church starting up the Bushels of Blessings Ministry. "I believe it was what God had called her to do and I sent her out to do a little more research. We have embarked on a remarkable way to meet the physical and spiritual needs of our communities through this ministry at 1st Assembly of God in Carneys Point," says Pastor Keith Holt.
Last year tomatoes were gathered into bushel baskets and were ready to be loaded on the trailer for transport to the church. Montemurno talks about the start of the Ministry. "I was afraid what the farmers would think, I was going to go to their farms and ask them to donate produce that did not make it to market", she says. "To my surprise the response and support from our local farmers has been tremendous. The first year, we started with four farms." This year, 9-12 Salem and Gloucester County farms will participate in the program. "Finally, a group of dedicated people are willing to filter through our perfectly edible sort outs and turn that into many wonderful meals for those who are less fortunate", says Dante Spina, Jr. of Spina Farms.
Last year, 39 organizations were provided with fresh produce and fruit from the Bushels of Blessings Ministry. They come from all over the Delaware Valley to fill their food pantries. "Bushels of Blessings has been a blessing to many communities by supplying nourishment needed so that people can obtain the proper food for a healthy diet," says Bishop John Gaines from Faith Chapel Outreach Ministry. Paula Corkum, director of Hands of Love Food Pantry says, "Because of Bushels of Blessings, we are able to help so many people, especially our seniors, who may not have enough money to purchase fresh vegetables for themselves."
Once a month, Harvest Time Worship Center, makes a pickup from the Ministry to supply their food bank which provides food for approximately 150 individuals and families. They will pick up 30-40 bushels of farm produce. "Bushels of Blessings has given our congregation the opportunity to both receive and be a conduit in sharing the harvest that has been shared with us. The Ministry of Bushels of Blessings has been a delight for our people," says Associate Pastor Linda Garrison.
Going into the sixth year, the ministry's biggest needs are volunteers to help gather and sort the produce and the acquisition of a cold storage building. "Last year, due to lack of volunteer resources, we had to stop gleaning in August which left about 150,000 pounds of food uncollected in the fields", says Michele.
Starting the third week of May and ending the third week of September, Bushels of Blessings volunteers go to the farms and gather the produce throughout the harvest season. The days of distribution are Tuesday and Friday.
Any farmers, food pantry's or volunteers who would like to help with this ministry, can contact Executive Director Michele Montemurno at 302-494-6114. For more information about the ministry, or to volunteer, contact Montemurno.
This item submitted by Bruce Barry, member 1st Assembly of God Church.