Apples harvested from Barstow's orchard will be distributed to agencies that serve people with food insecurity, thanks to a partnership with Mitzvah Garden KC.
MGKC is a volunteer-supported nonprofit garden founded in 2000 that is dedicated to growing community while learning about the agricultural roots of the Jewish calendar.
Volunteers Ken Sonnenschein and Brenda Ruppel collected ninety pounds of apples from the orchard on Wednesday, Sept. 25. The fruit is being distributed to food pantries including Jewish Family Services, Seventh Day Adventist Renewed Hope Pantry and Blue Valley Food Pantry.
"The timing of the harvest is perfect as we approach the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, starting Wednesday night since the tradition is to dip apples in honey as we pray for a sweet year filled with goodness," Sonnenschein said.
Director of School Gardens Christina Keiffer coordinated the harvest with MGKC, which also included a fall pruning of the orchard trees on the northwest corner of campus. The orchard serves as a hands-on learning environment for early childhood and kindergarten students, who learn about growing seasons, the five senses, weights and measures and more during outdoors visits.
Mitzvah Garden KC welcomes volunteers of all ages, faiths, cultures and backgrounds. For more information, visit the organization's website.