They say that charity begins at home. Gleaning is an excellent way to not only show your community spirit but to also pay it forward. Apart from that, it is also just a lot of fun.
What is gleaning, and how is it a means of paying it forward to your community? The practice of gleaning stems from the amount of food that goes to waste annually because it is not picked and given to those in need.
This tradition of gleaning is encountered in the bible in the book of Ruth where those in need were allowed to pick up leftover grain when the harvest was ready. Instead of using everything for themselves, those who were rich and owned fields could contribute to the plight of the needy.
Dr. Civin took part this year, and also present was the president of Ohio State University. The event took place in the fields of western Jupiter where they picked green peppers.
With the help of the volunteers, they picked fruits and vegetables to donate to the local community food shelters and programs. In the past, the activity of gleaning was used as a teaching moment for parents, as well as a fun activity for the whole family.
They picked a bunch, as much as they could! This will all be passed on to those in need. The last couple of years has seen up to 20,000 pounds of food picked and paid forward.
Conclusion
Dr. Civin gave back to the community, and you can too! You and your family can start a new tradition, helping those around you, while rubbing shoulders with your friendly neighborhood dentist. Look out for notifications on our Facebook page for info on next year’s event!