Please donate extra garden bounty

Do you have an abundant garden or an overloaded fruit tree? Please bring your excess produce to your local food bank. Too often food banks receive food that is beyond its prime and not very appetizing. Your fresh produce, even if it is only a few peas or carrots, helps provide nutritious food to the hungry.

Your financial contributions are also needed and appreciated. A donation of only a few dollars provides many meals when food banks purchase in bulk. Donations of many dollars are also needed by food banks to cover operating costs and fuel expenses. The Darrington Food Bank and the Marysville Community Food Bank both need funding for new food bank buildings.

It feels good to help others. Take a few moments to gather produce from your garden, fruit from your tree or cans from your cupboards to take to your local food bank. Spare a few dollars -- or a lot -- to help the food bank operate. You will feel good doing it (and enjoy a tax donation)!

Joyce Zeigen, director
Marysville Community Food Bank