Written by Rachel W., GleanKY’s 2014-2015 VISTA
This Friday, I will have completed my one year service term as an AmeriCorps VISTA with GleanKY. I can vividly remember my interview, particularly the feeling of exhilaration I felt as I drove home. The mission, work, and vision of GleanKY had resonated with me so much that I spent that entire Friday evening obsessively refreshing my email inbox, hoping to get the position. When that email arrived, I was elated.
I spent the next 12 months working alongside a small group of individuals devoted to making fresh fruits and vegetables accessible to everyone in the community, regardless of income. Never before had I encountered such passion for food justice or intense dedication to truly serving marginalized members of our community.
Here are just a few of the things I learned and want to share with you about the incredible work GleanKY does:
5 Things You May Not Know About GleanKY
1. GleanKY has had two AmeriCorps VISTAs who served as fundraising coordinators. For those who aren’t familiar with the lingo, VISTA stands for “Volunteer in Service to America.” VISTAs are paired with nonprofit organizations throughout the United States in order to help build capacity so that, after our terms have long since ended, the nonprofit is able to continue providing invaluable services to the community. The previous VISTA (also named Rachel!) and I helped write grant applications, report on the grants GleanKY had already received, coordinate two major fundraising events, and generally promote the organization’s mission and work.
2. GleanKY board members glean every week. Every Sunday in May through October, you can find at least one board member at the Lexington Farmers’ Market, working with other volunteers to pick up fresh produce and deliver it to local feeding programs. Our board members don’t simply oversee the administrative side of the organization: they are also deeply committed to our mission to nourish Kentucky’s hungry.
3. Food waste in Kentucky is tremendous … and it happens for many different reasons. I remember the first time I went to glean at Costco. In the end, we had to quickly slam the doors of the Ford Explorer shut so none of the hundreds of pounds of produce we’d crammed inside would fall out. Grocery stores are legally obligated to remove products from the shelves once they’ve reached the sell-by date—even if the food is still perfectly edible. Many farmers may not have the time, labor, or resources to harvest all the food they’ve planted. GleanKY helps all kinds of food sources, whether they be huge supermarkets or individual gardeners, reduce their waste.
4. Most of GleanKY’s funding comes from individual donors. While grants and sponsors are great, our work is primarily funded by donations from individuals. We rely on these contributions to divert food waste and keep fresh fruits and vegetables accessible for everyone. Whether it’s $500 or $5, it really is true that every donation makes a difference.
5. GleanKY is committed to nurturing our communities. One of the things we’re most proud of is our Neighborhood Ambassador model. Our Neighborhood Ambassadors are part of the very same communities to which they’re delivering food. These volunteers are sharing fresh produce as well as their knowledge – including recipes and preservation tips – with their neighbors, creating community and friendship around nutritious food.
