First Parish in Wayland’s Food Pantry Garden has been selected as a beneficiary of the Stop & Shop “Bloomin’ 4 Good Program” for the month of August.
The Stop & Shop Bloomin’ 4 Good Program, launched in February 2021, is an easy way for shoppers to give back. The purchase of every $10.99 Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet sporting a red circle sticker supports a hunger organization local to the Stop & Shop in which it was purchased.
The First Parish Food Pantry Garden was selected as the August beneficiary by local store leadership at the Wayland Stop & Shop located at 101 Andrew Ave. (The Garden project was also a beneficiary in March.) For every Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet purchased at the Wayland Stop & Shop in August, the Garden project will receive a $1 donation. Every bouquet sold will feed 10 plus people in need.
“We are so grateful to be a beneficiary of this generous Stop & Shop initiative,” said Molly Faulkner, who leads the Pantry Garden team. “The initiative’s goal aligns with that of our pantry garden. With our plot, which is located in the Wayland Community Gardens, we raise food organically for distribution to needy families. Purchasing a Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet will help to fund items such as seeds and fencing.” This year the team bought a patio umbrella which provides shade to those working in the garden.
Since 2009, the Food Pantry Garden team has produced food and delivered it to three South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) shelters and, monthly, to the Parmenter Food Pantry (now My Brother’s Table at Good Shepherd Parish, Wayland). First Parish volunteers plant and tend the garden throughout the spring, summer and early fall. Another First Parish team maintains beehives in a field just south of the Community Gardens. To date, the 20 x 60’ garden has produced peas, lettuce, chard, kale, collards, herbs (basil, cilantro, parsley), flowers; to come: garlic, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, cucumbers and beans.
For more information about the Stop & Shop Bloomin’ 4 Good Program, please visit stopandshop.bloomin4good.com. The First Parish in Wayland Food Pantry Garden team welcomes community volunteers who love gardening, especially high school students looking for community service hours. For more information, contact the First Parish office at office@uuwayland.org.