PlusHARVEST OF COMPASSIONHARVEST OF COMPASSIONThe Associated PressAs world leaders confront a global food crisis, America faces hunger at home. A unique farm in Virginia is trying to help out, but it faces an overwhelming demand. (June 14)OPEN TIGHT WITH SHOT OF PEA POD PICKED AND TOSSED IN BUCKET )VOX: IT'S THE YEAR'S FIRST HARVEST AT VIRGINIA'S VOLUNTEER FARM. UPSOUND: 11-year-old DONOVAN ARMSTRONG, VOLUNTEER "I'm picking peas. They're not exactly what they look like on our plate, but when you shell them, they're there." 09 secVOX: ABOUT 50 VOLUNTEERS BRAVED A SWELTERING JUNE DAY TO PICK FOOD TO FEED VIRGINIA'S NEEDY. 5 SECSOT: DONNA ARMSTRONG, VOLUNTEER "To know that people are taking the time when they could probably be sitting in airconditioning... it means a lot." 10 secVOX: ABOUT 23-HUNDRED PEOPLE VOLUNTEERED LAST YEAR.AND THE FARM'S OWNER EXPECTS ABOUT DOUBLE THAT THIS YEAR. SOT: BOB BLAIR, VOLUNTEER FARM OWNER "We're trying to feed a large number of people.// nutritious vegetables should be a part of their daily fare." 09 secUPSOUND: TRACTORVOX: EVERYTHING IT GROWS ON 40 ACRES GOES TO FEED THE POOR. BLAIR'S CHARITY HAS PROVIDED OVER 170-THOUSAND POUNDS OF PRODUCE SINCE STARTING IN 2004. THE FARM SENDS ITS THAT TO THE BLUE RIDGE AREA FOOD BANK NETWORK... WHICH IS STRUGGLING TO MEET A SURGE IN DEMAND AMID A LIMP ECONOMY AND SOARING PRICES. SOT: RUTH JONES, BLUE RIDGE AREA FOOD BANK NETWORK(public relations officer) "We're getting hit both ways. We're getting more people asking for help because of the demand and the cost of living skyrocketing. But we're also getting people who are sort of deciding to hang on to their money a little tighter because of the economy." 15 secVOX: AS IT FACES LAGGING DONATIONS, THE BANK EXPECTS TO SUPPLY 10.5 MILLION POUNDS OF AID TO FOOD PANTRIES AND SOUP KITCHENS IN 25 COUNTIES THIS YEAR... UP ABOUT A FOURTH FROM LAST YEAR. NO SOONER HAD THE PEAS AND ONIONS ARRIVED THAN THE SALVATION ARMY PICKED SOME UP.UPSOUIND: kids shucking peas. (GIRL SAYS I LOVE PEAS)VOX: THE FRESH PEAS WERE A HIT AT THE SHELTER.CHARITIES SAY THIS KIND OF PRODUCE IS ESSENTIAL TO A BALANCED DIET - ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS - WHO MAKE UP NEARLY 40 PERCENT OF FOOD EMERGENCY RECIPIENTS.SOT: TERRI AND JAKOB, SHELTER RESIDENTS "He gets his meals here and he's safe. And he's happy. (HER BOYFRIEND SAYS: Smile says it all."VOX: AND THOSE GETTING A SOLID MEAL ARE GRATEFUL SOT: KIMMIE, SHELTER RESIDENT "It's hard to believe people really do care and stuff. Out there, about people, homeless and everything."VOX: BUT IF THE ECONOMY DOESN'T IMPROVE OR DONATIONS RISE, SHELTER KITCHENS LIKE THIS ONE WILL STRUGGLE TO KEEP SERVING UP ENOUGH FOOD TO MEET THE DEMAND. FRITZ FAERBER, WINCHESTER VA, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. ___ ___, The Associated Press.
Tags: food banks harvest compassion
