What is it that you enjoy about gardening? Is it the feeling you have just digging in the dirt? Is it planting the seeds in the ground and watching as they sprout and eventually burst forth into lovely flowers or bear fruit? Is it gathering the harvest and enjoying the garden-fresh flavor?

As much as you might already enjoy gardening, you can enjoy it more by sharing the fruits of your labors with others through the State College Area Food Bank.

The food bank is happy to accept donations of fresh produce, according to director Pat Coble. Anyone interested in donating perishable foods of any kind needs to contact her at 234-2310. Coble needs to assess how to store the food, since the food bank has limited storage space for fresh food.

In 1999, more than 3,000 individuals were served one or more times through Centre County food banks. Those in need of emergency food are referred from community service agencies or religious congregations.

In order to be eligible, applicants are asked to state the amount of their income in order to meet federal poverty guidelines. Many of the individuals who come to the Food Bank work at minimal wage jobs, so an unexpected expense such as a large medical bill may wipe out their ability to buy groceries for a time. lndividuals are eligible to receive food up to four times during the course of a year, and exceptions are made by the director under special circumstances. The reason for this limit is to encourage those with long-term needs to contact other sources that may be more able to help them. The Food Bank staff helps their clients get in touch with such resources.

"The Food Bank is a United Way agency, Coble said. "In addition, we receive a large amount of support from the community at large and from the faith community as well." Each year 25 percent of the money raised through the State College CROP Walk goes to support the Food Bank. The yearly budget, which is about $80,000, does not begin to reflect the cost of the food distributed, because much of that is donated by area residents.

Flowers and produce may be brought to the Food Bank, located in St Andrew's Episcopal Church (across from the State College High School football field) from 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Tomatoes and peppers are special favorites. Sometimes the staff will provide clients with recipes for vegetables that may be less familiar to them.

It must be remembered that these people do not have their own gardens, so perhaps you can begin to imagine the joy that garden fresh vegetables and freshly cut flowers might bring to their lives. Your enjoyment of gardening will be enhanced if you are willing to bring a little joy into the lives of others by your willingness to share.

Joe Krabill is a Master Gardener
For answers to your gardening questions, contact Master Gardeners by e-mail at centreext@psu.edu