PROVIDENCE, R.I. — May 15, 2000 — Are you planning a veggie, fruit or herb garden this summer? Have you always wanted to help those less fortunate than you, but never had the time? Here’s your opportunity! The University of Rhode Island’s Master Gardeners and the Rhode Island Food Security Coalition encourage you to join with them in the “Plant a Row for the Hungry” project for the 2000 growing season. It’s an easy way to help in your community! Here’s what to do: 1. Plant an extra row of whatever fruit, vegetable or herb you are already planning to grow this year. Greens, corn, tomatoes, peppers, squashes, carrots, beans, peas etc. are welcome. Fruits are especially appreciated. 2. Just before harvest, call the Master Gardeners hotline at 1-800-448-1011 or the Food Security Coalition’s PAR Coordinator at 401-277-5272 to find a food pantry or soup kitchen near you that needs fresh produce. Find out when they can accept donations and drop off your fresh picked produce! Ask for a receipt from the pantry so you can claim your produce as a charitable donation on your taxes. Here are three of the more than 25 agencies that will be delighted to receive and distribute your extra harvest during listed hours.: The Food Pantry at South Providence Neighborhood Ministries, under the direction of Grace Wilcox at 401-461-7509 distributes food weekdays from noon to 2 p.m. The Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale, under the direction of Patricia Whitford at 789-1559 distributes food weekdays from 10 – 3. Chaves Gardens in Middletown receives fresh produce on Mondays from 8 – 11 and distributes it throughout Aquidneck Island. Call Joe Chaves at 846-0623. The Plant a Row for the Hungry Project was conceived and is sponsored by the Garden Writers Association of America. Check out their website www.gwaa.org for more information. Look up the Rhode Island Community Food Bank’s website for local information about hunger: www.rifoodbank.org. -xxx- For Information: Donna LaVallee, 277-5270, Jan Sawyer, 874-2116