Colorado Springs, CO – Abundant Harvest Community Garden Outreach produced and distributed 4,819 pounds of fresh natural grown produce to needy families in the area. 2011 was a great year due to the more than 550 volunteer hours that helped us to maximize our mission of “Planting Seeds to Grow Food and Create Opportunity for People.” Abundant Harvest established a presence at local Farmer’s Markets, started distribution to 2 new food pantries and added Blue Star Recycling as a great new fund raising partner.

 Director Charles Hendrix says, “The accomplishments of the Garden can be directly related to the efforts of our volunteers and partners. We were not only able to increase the number of our sustainable raised beds but we also received enough Gifts in Kind Donations which allowed us to help more families than ever before.” Creating the ability for people to give themselves a hand up instead of taking a hand out is one of the driving forces behind this project.

 “In an effort to live the words we speak, A.H.C.G.O. started 2 new businesses this past year to help fund day to day operations and have begun to offer Self-Development classes for those wishing to pick themselves up and move forward,” said Director Hendrix in a recent report posted on their website. When asked to comment on the future, Hendrix excitedly pointed out their goals for 2012 which include the introduction of a full-time Master Gardener, adding 2 additional 50 foot raised beds (16 beds total), a greenhouse and a walk-in refrigerator to help preserve the produce for distribution.

We started a blogging project to keep people aware of what we are doing and while it is still a work in progress we are excited about the process and hope that others will join us by viewing some of the pictures and videos we have located at http://abundantharvestoutreach.org/home/blog

 Abundant Harvest Community Garden Outreach is a non-profit organization dedicated to Growing and Distributing Food to a World in Need by starting right here at home. A non-denominational Christian organization devoting it’s time to solving hunger and not just talking about it.

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