Hello Phelps Neighborhood Association Members! 

 I hope everyone enjoyed our inaugural e-mail.   The concert was a wonderful success. (Thanks to everyone who worked to make it so!)  John Gregory is the coordinator for this project and does a wonderful job of organizing – and working overtime to make this series so successful.

 PRODUCE FOR THE HUNGRY

 Did you know as a result of the economic crisis, many families are hungry.   (Bart Brown, executive director of Ozarks Food Harvest, recently predicted that by the end of the year 65,000 people in southwest for their survival.)  The Phelps Neighborhood Association has joined with Harvest on Wheels, Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance, The Kitchen, and Ozarks Harvesting Hope in trying to grow and better utilize surplus fresh produce to feeding the hungry. The Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance is organizing and educating local gardeners.  Ozarks Harvesting Hope is asking gardeners to “plant a row for the hungry.”   Harvest on Wheels helps with collecting and delivery. Ozarks Food Harvest collects and ships food to service providers in 29 counties in southwest Missouri, and The Kitchen prepares meals for the hungry seven days a week.  So we are doing our part in getting the word out and supporting this wonderful cause!

Do you have a garden? Are you willing to donate some of what you raise to area hunger relief agencies? Has your garden produced more than you could possibly use?  Zucchinis coming out your ears?  The difficult part is getting to those who needs the food to feed their family.  That’s where Harvest on Wheels fits into the solution.  Harvest on Wheels has set up multiple locations to collect the fresh produce.  The great thing is we have a collection point right in the middle of our neighborhood.  (Our neighbors David and Vicki Trippe, and David Adams are part of Harvest on Wheels.)  The Trippes have already put a blue collection box on their front porch at 616 E. Loren.  Just put the produce in the box and everything else happens like magic!  On Wednesdays David Adams, David or Vicki will take food from that box to Ozarks Food Harvest.  On Sundays the Trippes will deliver food to The Kitchen.   It couldn’t be simpler to donate that extra tomato or squash!!

ZONING PUBLIC HEARING FOR PUBLIC GARDEN

Now that we are on the subject of produce gardens.  City of Springfield Planning Commission that would allow public urban gardens as a use in any zoning district.  For more specific information before the hearing contact Daniel Neal, City Planning Dept., 864-1611.  Hearing Announcement.

Have a good week in the neighborhood!