Plant a Row for the Hungry (Par) is a people-helping-people program to assist in feeding the homeless and hungry in their own community. Launched in 1995, this innovative public services campaign was developed by the Garden Writers Association of America (GWAA) to encourage gardeners to grow a little extra and donate the produce to local soup kitchens and food banks that serve the homeless and hungry.

The nation's soup kitchens and food banks are facing a crisis. The restructuring of government support and increased efficiency in the food industry (leaving less surplus food to donate) has seriously impacted the capacity of food banks to serve the hungry. According to the US Conference of Mayors study, about 21% of requests for emergency food went unfulfilled in 1998. PAR's mission is to provide an avenue through which the more than 70 million gardeners in this country can help more than 35 million men, women and children who go to bed hungry daily.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE THROUGH PAR!!

PAR is rooted in the tradions of sharing a bountiful garden harvest with others. Sharing the harvest can happen on many levels, from individual donations to organized group networks to the corporate arena. Home hardeners, school and church groups, community organizations and area businesses all can make a difference for the hungry and home less.

AS AN INDIVIDUAL YOU CAN:
Plant extra produce (fresh vegetables, fruits or herbs).
Deliver the harvest to a food collection agency near you.
Give a PAR brochure to someone you know who gardens.

AS A GROUP, YOU CAN:
Organize gardeners into a PAR network in your community.
Encourage participation by handing out starter kits.
Organize citywide planting and harvest events.

AS A BUSINESS, YOU CAN:
Organize a company-wide PAR campaign.
Contribute "in-kind" or financial donations to a local PAR campaign.