PORTLAND – The Plant A Row for the Hungry program is a people-helping-people project designed to assist in feeding the hungry in their own community.

Launched in 1995, the national public service campaign was developed by the Garden Writers Association to encourage gardeners to participate by growing a little extra and donating a portion of their homegrown vegetables to local food pantries.

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension sponsors the program and provides information on growing vegetables, pantry sites and schedules for produce drop-off. No donation is too small.

The Cumberland County Extension office is enrolling gardeners and volunteers residing in Cumberland County for the growing season. To request an enrollment package, contact the Extension office at 1-800-287-1471 or [email protected].

The program has a limited supply of vegetable seeds that will be distributed to enrollees on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants in the program will receive the monthly Garden Clippings newsletter.