Charity looking for fruit trees in North Wellington

Charity looking for fruit trees in North Wellington

10 September 2012 – Tawa local Julie Harris has recently volunteered as Community Fruit Harvesting co-ordinator in the North Wellington area. To kick-start activity in the area, she is calling for people with unwanted fruit growing in their back yard to get in touch so the charity can help the hungry.

Community Fruit Harvesting volunteers pick fresh fruit that would otherwise go to waste and give it to charities who share it with people in need. Community Fruit North Wellington will cover Johnsonville, Tawa, Porirua and the Kapiti Coast, extending the reach of the existing Community Fruit Wellington operation.

“There is so much untapped opportunity in this area with many old houses with fruit trees in their gardens,” says Julie. “I’d like to see that wasted fruit going to households where it’s needed. It’s a win for everyone – the tree owners don’t have rotting fruit in their garden, those in need receive a helping hand, and volunteers find it immensely satisfying to work with like-minded people to play a part in reducing poverty and making a real difference.

“Anyone who is happy to don a set of gloves, pick fruit or climb a ladder is welcome. I also welcome volunteers happy to take a bag of fruit, add value to it by making delicious jam or chutney and then get those homemade goodies into fruit boxes. And if anyone has a tree or two laden with fruit that they are happy to donate I’d love to hear from them.”

In addition to volunteers offering a fruit tree or their time to pick or preserve fruit, Community Fruit North Wellington is also seeking donations of sugar and jars, boxes, crates or large bags to put the fruit in and offers of storage space.

People in North Wellington with a fruit tree available for picking or who want to volunteer to pick fruit or make jam can email Julie Harris on pickfruitnthwellington@gmail.com.

ENDS

© Scoop Media