How long are volunteer sessions?
Each Farm Glean event lasts 1.5 hours – we get a lot done in that time together! It is important to show up at the start time, to meet your leaders and fellow volunteers and get safety and site orientation as a group. Garden volunteer events at the Farmacy and Garden at 198 Church Street Garden also last 1.5 hours. The sessions at the WH Garden at Cedar Circle Farm last 2 hours.
What happens if there is inclement weather?
You can generally assume we will keep our plans to garden or glean in light rain. However, if there is a forecast that is definitive for heavy rain or thunderstorms during garden or gleaning hours, we will NOT be in the fields. Our policy is that if you can hear thunder, no matter how distant, we will not garden or glean. We also will not go into the fields within an hour of the last heard thunder after a storm has passed. Garden & Gleaning coordinators will do their best to send out an email at least an hour and a half before meet time to cancel if radar or other info makes it clear that the session is a non-starter. Please monitor your inbox if it’s looking ‘iffy!’ And, even if we have not sent a cancellation note, and you hear thunder, or if there is heavy rain, please use your best judgement and stay home! Further, if forecasts are for extreme heat, please don’t be hesitant to sit out a session – just send us an email to let us know you won’t make it! Health and safety are the priority for all!
Who can I contact with questions that are event-specific?
Alec Fannin is the Gleaning Coordinator and Carolyn Frye is our Volunteer Gleaning Leader. Both Alec and Carolyn can be reached at gleaning@willinghands.org. Mikey Van Siclen is our Garden Coordinator, email: garden@willinghands.org. We are always happy to help!
What should I do if my contact information changes?
If you are changing contact information like your email address or phone number, follow these steps. If you you have any questions, please write to volunteer@willinghands.org.
How are gleans planned?
Farmers contact Willing Hands when they have surplus crops for gleaning. The number of volunteers needed is determined by the amount of produce available and the time required to harvest. Some of our farm partners schedule weekly gleans at regular times, but we may have to cancel if it turns out there won’t be enough crops remaining for our volunteer gleaners to harvest.
Why is there surplus produce available?
There are many factors that contribute to surplus produce being available for Willing Hands. The unpredictable weather that effects produce production, the opportune harvest time of a particular crop, the fluctuating market for local produce and the demands of the staff at each farm all play a role in crop management.
Can gleaners take produce home from gleans?
Willing Hands is a charitable organization and our volunteers have elected to serve our mission of recovering food to improve health and increase food access for our neighbors in need. Our farm donors are donating their food to support this mission. If you are in need of nutritious food and lack the means to purchase it, please Contact Us directly and we would be happy to help.