Parent Stress

December 2 2003–Oregon has one of the highest rates of hunger and food insecurity in the United States. While many government programs designed to tackle this enormous problem are currently under threat, Growing Gardens has designed a unique approach to bringing back meaning to the holiday season while working to defeat the hunger issues that plague our state.

?Gifts That Grow? are donations to Growing Gardens made in honor of someone special. These donation gifts make it possible for others to improve their nutrition, health, and self-reliance growing healthy food in backyard and neighborhood gardens. They are gifts that grow in meaning and value long after they are given. What?s more, these gifts are the ultimate no-fuss, no-muss, fits all sizes, no returns gift alternative!

?Gifts That Grow? works by choosing a level of donation that represents the value of items needed to carry out our food garden work. For example, a donation of $5 pays for eight of the organic vegetable plant starts that Growing Gardeners receive during their first three years enrolled in the program. A donation of $500 represents the installation of two raised garden beds, soil, seeds and plant starts, staff and volunteer support for a first-year gardener ($25 represents a share of this Home Garden Package). There are at least 10 levels of donation giving for the holiday season. Each donation gift includes a Gift Card that describes the donation in honor of the person receiving the gift as well as information about Growing Gardens. Gift shoppers can call Growing Gardens at 503.284.8420 for a brochure or to order by phone, or download the ?Gifts That Grow? brochure at www.growing-gardens.org. ?Gifts That Grow? will also be available at the Mindful Gifts Bazaar on Saturday, December 13, from 10 am to 4 pm at the Bridgeport United Church of Christ, 621 NE 76th Avenue in Portland.

Growing Gardens, a local nonprofit organization, has been helping low income Portland residents develop skills and secure the necessary resources for growing organic food. Growing Gardens staff and volunteers install over 40 raised bed gardens, teach workshops on topics like seed saving, composting, and food preservation, and serve as mentors to new gardeners each year. This approach of creating continued access to fresh and healthful food nearly year-round emphasizes self-reliance, which in turn encourages a range of positive outcomes, from personal empowerment to community improvement.

In order to provide these Portland gardeners with the services, equipment, and seeds necessary to start productive food gardens (a first step in establishing food security), Growing Gardens relies on the generosity of individuals, foundations, and local businesses. This year, ?Gifts That Grow? makes it easy for everyone to become a part of the solution to end hunger in Oregon one vegetable plant at a time– a plant that keeps growing after the emergency food box is empty.