Feeding Many, Inc.’s Community Orchard initiative is growing like wildflowers with three new greenhouses opening by Spring 2010, new plots for individual gardens and the organization’s new designation as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Feeding Many, located near the intersection of Bowles and Alkire in Littleton, dedicates its work to supporting communities in need through gardening. The produce from the entire orchard is free to residents of Jefferson County, who can come to the orchard to pick as much as they need to feed their families. Feeding Many donates any extra produce to agencies, ministries, youth homes and other organizations within the county.

The first greenhouse, a 20 x 50-foot structure for vegetables, will open in November. Volunteers are welcome to help Feeding Many grow vegetables that will eventually be available to families in need. Feeding Many also will donate seeds to people if they don’t have their own. The second 20 x 98-foot, solar greenhouse will open in spring as a community area for fruit gardens. Feeding Many will dedicate the third greenhouse to education. It will be open for the youth of Jefferson County to experiment and learn.

In addition to the greenhouses, Shirl Smith, President and CEO of Feeding Many, has just added 24 new garden plots that the public is invited to claim. Reservations are on a first-come first-serve basis with requests currently accepted. The cost is $25 for each plot and includes water. Gardeners can take their plots’ harvest home to feed their own families or they can donate produce to families in need. Donations can be made directly to families that gardeners are aware of or donations can be made through Feeding Many who will then distribute to local food pantries and families.

Please contact Shirl Smith through the Feeding Many Web site, www.feedingmany.org, if you are interested in purchasing a plot or need more information. You can also find volunteer opportunities, educational opportunities, times and dates for workshops on canning, and helpful tips on gardening, fertilization, and useful recipes for fresh produce on the Web site. If you don’t have the time, but would like to help the cause, Feeding Many also accepts online monetary donations or contact Feeding Many to determine if a supply or service that you have can be utilized.