New Catagory Suggestion --- Gleaners-Nourishing Communities

Hello CNRG Board,

I'm developing a project under the guidance of "Local Agenda NW" on social enterpenurship. http://www.learninginnovation.org/localagendanw.php

I'm creating a model to alleviate hunger by gleaning perishable foods, that can be delivered to those in need and reduce food waste. I've interviewed several Portland gleaning groups, food pantry's, charities who feed the hungry, and will tour tour the Oregon Food Bank next week. I am looking for areas of synergy and believe your site is a catalyst for community citizenship.

Will you consider adding a Gleaner Category to your site? Example; the residents of Dignity Village receive a donation of fresh pairs, more than the camp could consume. Rather than letting them rot, they post a listing on your site for pick up. A Clackamas Gleaner group reads the posting, contacts Dignity and picks up the pairs for their food pantry. The Clackamas group sends the rotting pairs to a pig farmer.

Check out the "Fork It Over" site. It's a good resource but a non-functional, interactive site. http://www.metro-region.org/index.cfm/go/by.web/id/9887

Can you help me connect donors of critical grocery products and food with charities who serve the needest among us? Here is a link to an article on Sunshine Pantry's Portland treasure Sharon Straus. She exemplifies what one person can do to change the world. http://blog.oregonlive.com/washingtoncounty/2007/02/oneofakind_sunshine_pantry_reo.html

Sincerley, Claire Simons Portland Oregon 503-705-7350