Cultivating Hope

This fall, Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland (CCCSR) is inviting the community to “Help Cultivate Hope” for neighbors in need through its Fall Harvest Fundraiser. CCCSR is home to the only vegetable garden located on the grounds of a food pantry in a 60-mile radius and distributes over 2,000 pounds of fresh produce grown on site to area residents each year. The Garden of Love was established in 2010 with the support of Rockland County’s Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program, and flourishes through the collaborative efforts of St. Ann’s Parish and Good Samaritan Hospital.

Every dollar raised from the fundraiser will directly support CCCSR’s mission of nourishing local families who depend on its food pantry. And thanks to collective buying power in the Hudson Valley, CCCSR turns every dollar donated into four meals ensuring that Rockland families have access to fresh, healthy food all year long.

Through the Fall Harvest Fundraiser supporters can symbolically purchase a variety of vegetables grown in the garden. Donors can choose to purchase one vegetable level, several or donate a separate amount. The levels include:

• Bell Pepper – $20

• Sweet Potato – $35

• Broccoli – $50

• Squash – $65

• Eggplant – $80

• Pumpkin Patch – $100

“Every contribution to our Fall Harvest helps us plant seeds of hope and put food on the table for our neighbors,” said Dan Eudene, Executive Director at Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland based in Haverstraw. “We’re asking the community to join us in making sure no family in Rockland goes hungry this season.” The fundraiser will be accepting donations on the website through October 31st and the goal is to raise $3,000.

Donations can be made quickly and securely online at https://www.ccrockland.org/fall-harvest-fundraiser Supporters are also encouraged to follow CCCSR on social media and share the campaign to help increase visibility and donations. With help from the community, Catholic Charities in Rockland can continue to fulfill the mission it started 30 years ago of providing fresh vegetables, pantry staples, and other essential resources to Rockland families who need them most.

Catholic Charities Community Services, The Warm Heart of Rockland, provides services to people of all ages, from every race and ethnic group from all over the County. The organization’s focus is to provide life necessities, including food, shelter, and other emergency assistance to those in need. The compassionate and professional staff speak English, Spanish, French and Creole. More information can be found at www.ccrockland.org or by calling (845) 942-5791.