Volunteer, Margie Byars mans the Donation Table during the Foothills Farmers' Market in Uptown Shelby. Photo provided

This growing season if you find yourself with an abundance of zucchini or pounds and pounds of tomatoes or any other fresh thing from your home garden please consider donating the excess to help those in need.
Fresh local food is finding its way to agencies in our community that are working to relieve hunger. Now through the 2018 market season, each Saturday at the Foothills Farmers' Market in Uptown Shelby volunteers are operating a Farmer Foodshare® Donation Station.
Donation Stations raise local funds at the market to buy top-quality fresh local food for people at risk for hunger in our community. Market shoppers buy food from farmers and donate it, or donate cash and volunteers buy food. Farmers donate excess food at the end of the market days, which ensures that nothing goes to waste. Home gardeners are encouraged to bring their excess produce as well. These donations are distributed to recipient organizations locally. Over 3,600 pounds of produce was collected and distributed during the 2017 season.
You can help provide fresh food for the hungry and support local farmers by visiting the Farmer Foodshare Donation Station Table at the Foothills Farmers' Market, 126 W. Marion Street in City Pavilion, each Saturday in Uptown Shelby between 8am - 12noon.
For information on Farmer Foodshare visit www.farmerfoodshare.org; www.foothillsfarmersmarket.com or call 704-473-4722.