Seed & Seedling Donations to the Less Fortunate

[Nan6b]

This thread is for discussing how to get seeds, or seedlings, into the hands of those who need them and don't have them. In some instances, instructions may also be required, to teach folks how to grow the seeds/plants. There are a number of different situations we can discuss. If we make any headway in any of these, great!

I'm thinking of these:
1. People who would like to start a garden but can't afford $3 per pack for lettuce, tomatoes, squash, etc. COVID has got a lot of people gardening.
2. Schools wanting to start a garden (produce or butterfly) that need seeds. These folks usually ask seed companies for donations, but right now seed companies are having trouble filling orders for paying customers, let alone donating.
3. Poor farmers in other tries who are forced to buy the expensive hybrid seeds because no OP seeds are available.

Any seeds we have now for this year, would be great for a start if we can mobilize ourselves. I see the greatest impediment as knowing where to send seeds to do the most good.

[Nan6b]

Giving away seedlings to the less fortunate. The food bank in my area will take tomato seedlings under some circumstances. I make an appointment to bring in the seedlings just before the food bank opens for distribution. I also agree that if people don't take all the seedlings, they can let the staff take them and/or call me & I'll pick up the leftover plants at the time of their convenience.

With each seedling, I provide not only the tomato description but a paper on how to grow tomatoes, a recipe or two for using them, and other suggestions. If I'm "giving them a fishing rod" , so to speak, I want to make sure they "know how to fish."

[MissS]

Up until last year, I gave them to the local food pantries. With Covid they refused to take them last year. I took some of them to church and then placed a notice on our local neighborhood website, 'Nextdoor' to let people know that I had them. I had over 300 plants that I started and most of them were placed at the end of my driveway. People contacted me through the website and came and took home what they wanted. It was fun to watch as people picked out what they wanted. I got a few notes in my mailbox over the summer that told me how much they appreciated them.