Financial Donations are always needed to maintain our educational programs. Some times, we have grants, but with the economy in crisis, grants are hard to acquire. An annual appeal is sent out at the end of the year and this year we have a challenge. Read below. Other ways to donate is in hard goods, see our wish list for some ideas.
$3000 Challenge
Imagine you are riding in an elevator with someone and have limited time to describe Rippling Waters Organic Farm. What would you say beyond telling a friend or stranger that it is located on the banks of the Saco River in Standish, Maine and that we have been growing quality MOFGA certified organic fruit and vegetables since 1991? Well, here is some additional information that might help.
Rippling Waters is a leader in rebuilding the local food infrastructure in southern Maine. It has developed programs to promote greater food independence by teaching students, adults and seniors how to grow nutritious food to enhance their health and well-being and to donate to local food banks. The work that is being done at the farm has grown continuously. Projected plans for this season include gardens at five schools in Maine School Administrative District # 6 and at two senior housing sites in Standish and Buxton, Maine. We know that with nearly 30% of school age children overweight or obese, there is an urgent need to incorporate nutrition and health education throughout the curriculum. Poor nutrition contributes to obesity within families; many parents can’t afford to buy produce on a regular basis. Our programs teach students and adults how to grow/prepare fresh produce and to learn about the nutritional and taste differences between whole foods and highly processed foods.
RWOF partners with a number of organizations to promote food independence. It donates $10,000 worth of organic vegetables to the local emergency food system each year and assists Preble Street’s Maine Hunger Initiative by providing food at a discount to other food pantries in Cumberland and York Counties. Furthermore, it serves as one of six host sites statewide for the new National FoodCorp Program. As an active member of the Maine School Garden Network, it provides assistance to teachers who are interested in establishing gardens at their schools offering workshops and garden tours.
I recently had the good fortune to meet a friend in Massachusetts who wanted to hear the elevator speech. She was not only impressed by all that we do, which is far more than what is described here, but offered a challenge to our Board of Directors. She is willing to match the donations of the Board of Directors and friends of the farm, up to $3,000, in the next two months. Thanks to the generosity of folks who have already responded to our Annual Appeal, we are almost half way to meeting this challenge. We invite you to join us in fostering greater food independence through education, action and service in the Greater Portland area. Please take a moment to make a gift to the farm’s annual fund.
Sincerely,
Richard Rudolph, Executive Director