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We at Keohane Funeral Home have joined forces with Interfaith Social Services to launch the first program of its kind in Massachusetts to help feed the hungry. Harvest Helpers appeals to backyard gardeners to plant an extra row of produce which, when harvested, will be donated to the Interfaith Food Pantry in Quincy.

We asked the Executive Director of Interfaith Social Services, Rick Doane, about the needs of the community. “Last year over 16,000 hungry people came to our food pantry looking for assistance,” said Rick. “We distributed over 350,000 pounds of food to impoverished families throughout the South Shore and we rely on support from the community to meet their needs. This year, with the help of Keohane Funeral Home, we will step up our efforts by offering to donate vegetable plants to anyone who agrees to participate in Harvest Helpers by setting aside a bit of their gardens for this purpose. We hope that this will motivate more people to start a backyard garden for themselves and their needy neighbors.”

This program will allow us to help Interfaith Social Services to not only feed people, but to nourish them with healthy, home-grown produce. We will have a vegetable garden at our 785 Hancock Street, Quincy location which will be planted and tended by our team. The produce grown will all be donated to the Interfaith Food Pantry. Some vegetables under consideration include tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, and bush cucumbers.

“To show that people can grow produce almost anywhere we are also planting a garden here at our office near Quincy Center,” says Rick “The garden will be tended by volunteers and pantry clients. Clearly, this is an example of helping people help themselves.”

Anyone can take part. All that is necessary is a willingness to take care of the plants all summer and then bringing the produce to the Interfaith Food Pantry for distribution.

We are encouraging all to become Harvest Helpers by planting, harvesting, and donating a portion of produce from their backyard gardens. Please register your intent by contacting Rick Doane at 617-773-6203 or emailing rdoane@interfaithsocialservices.org or the funeral home at (617) 773-3551 or info@keohane.com.