Gleaning in Virginia

 

The national headquarters for the Society of St. Andrew is in Big Island – near Lynchburg, Virginia. This office coordinates all the ministries of the organization, and oversees the regional offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The Big Island office also serves as the regional office for our Virginia operations. The Society of St. Andrew operates a volunteer-driven Gleaning Network that includes volunteers who save fresh produce every year and use it to feed hungry people all across the two states.

Through the Virginia Gleaning Network, each year we coordinate thousands of volunteers in six local areas who enter fields after farmers have finished harvesting and simply pick up the tons of edible produce left behind. Our volunteers represent groups from various church denominations, synagogues, youth groups, other civic organizations, and inner city residents. We annually glean over a million pounds of a wide variety of produce in Virginia. Please join us in this exciting hands-on ministry.

This video is a great example of how one of SoSA’s partners in Virginia, Trinity Ecumenical Parish, has teamed up with SoSA to use gleaning as a vital component of feeding and ministering to the local community.

Please contact us to indicate your interest in gleaning. When we have opportunities within 30-45 minutes of your location, we will email you with details and invite you to join us in the fields.

Most gleaning events take place on weekends where gleaners arrive in the fields around 8am and are on their way home by noon. Society of St. Andrew makes all arrangements with farmers, produce containers and food distribution. All that volunteer gleaners need to do is show up. Volunteer groups are encouraged to take food back to agencies or programs that they support in their local area.

People of all ages can glean. Gleaners should be able to bend over and should be able to bend and lift several pounds of produce.

It is important that the contact person be reachable by phone during day-time hours.

Most of our gleanings are in the morning and last three to four hours. Gleanings are scheduled week days and on Saturdays.

If you have questions about when local crops are available, we would be happy to help.

Job Openings in Virginia