Thursday, July 30, 2009

Immediately Needed Items...

This is a special request from Anna Chan, The Lemon Lady.

If you have further questions, please contact
Anna at 510.406.1625 or AnnaAndAva@gmail.com.
Or, contact George McDowell at McDowellnson@gmail.com.

Hoping the community can PLEASE help gather these simple, yet very much appreciated and NEEDED items to assist the McDowell family with the clean-up efforts of their totally destroyed home. The list below represents the most immediately needed items. Thank you so kindly.

Old towels/rags
Old t-shirts
Batteries - Sizes: D, AA, AAA
Safety Pins
Band Aids
Rubbing Alcohol
Peroxide
Miscellaneous First Aid Supplies
Kleenex, Paper Towels
Plastic Heavy Duty Garbage Bags
Zip Lock bags, large size
Dish Soap
Water
Drinking Cups
Paper disposable plates, cups, etc.
Plastic Chairs, Tables for sitting, that can be hosed off
Straw Broom
Dust Masks
Garden Hose(s)
Tarps
Shoe Boxes/Lids Bedding: Twin Sheets, Full sheets
Medical equipments: Nebulizer for breathing

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Let me introduce you to a neighbor...


George McDowell and his sweet son Logan.
Photo courtesy: www.MisterWriter.com

Perhaps you've heard of the devastating fire which destroyed their house on 4th of July. www.Claycord.com originally reported the story. The McDowell Family has asked the community for nothing in terms of help, yet I see a sincere family in great need.

Concord - Let's come together and bring good things to the McDowell Family. Please contact me at AnnaAndAva@gmail.com for ways we can lend our help. Please read Andre' Gensburger's touching tale of the McDowell family's struggles to gather the pieces.

Visit The McDowell Family at Concord Family Blogspot to follow their story:


Monday, July 27, 2009

Know an inspiring teacher who would like to win $5,000?



This sounds like a fun contest for teachers, coaches, administrators, counselors and other educators. Read the contest and nomination rules. Brush up on your writing skills...sip lemonade under a shade tree...and put pen to paper. Let's put Contra Costa County on the map with a local winner. Have fun today!

The EXPO Extraordinary Educator Contest will begin on July 13, 2009 at 12:00:01 A.M. ET and end on September 15, 2009 at 11:59:59 P.M. ET (“Contest Period”). Learn more from their website: http://www.expoeducator.com.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Meet Larry Sly, Executive Director at The Food Bank of Contra Costa And Solano...


Larry Sly, Executive Director of The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
Anna Chan, The Lemon Lady
Tom Benner, AKA Officer Vic,
KSFO’s morning traffic reporter

In June, I attended the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano's "Afternoon in the Admiral’s Garden” presented by Tesoro Golden Eagle Refinery. It was a spectacular fundraising event, with dozens of gourmet food, dessert and wine tasting booths. I encourage anyone passionate about the hunger cause to consider attending next years' festive event. You will meet other fine individuals who work endlessly behind the scenes to bring food to those who need it most in our community.

Learn more about Larry Sly by visiting the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano's website, or the Food Bank BLOG. Mr. Sly is an amazing individual, a true local hero who has dedicated a lifetime to the hunger cause. Sly was one of the original employees of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano when it first opened over 30 years ago!

Food Bank Contra Costa warehouse: 4010 Nelson Avenue, Concord, CA 94520 (925) 676-7543
Food Bank Solano warehouse: 1891 Woolner Suite I, Fairfield, CA 94533 (707) 421-9777

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Danville Weekly, Fresh fruit in the garden and what to do with it...

Danville Weekly published a nice article about my friend Mira Goetsch of Alamo. Mira has started her own one-woman fruit harvesting campaign against hunger. I have profiled Mira before on The Lemon Lady blog. If you live in Mira's area, she is an excellent volunteer harvesting fruit and delivering to local pantries. Mira's contact information can be found at http://www.mirafruitharvesting.blogspot.com/.

Click below to read entire article.

Column - Friday, July 10, 2009
Fresh fruit in the garden and what to do with it
by Dolores Fox Ciardelli

http://www.danvilleweekly.com/story.php?story_id=6311

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Drive-Thru Donations Accepted in Concord at The Salvation Army Food Pantry...



The Salvation Army
3950 Clayton Road
Concord, California
(925) 676-6180



Click HERE for directions to: The Salvation Army Food Pantry at Clayton Road/West Street which serves over 500 families monthly. They accept fresh produce, canned or boxed food donations and many other household items.

Many area residents are unaware there is a Food Pantry at this location. The thrift shop is located in a different retail center across town.

The Lemon Lady, Fruit Harvesting for the Hungry



Anna Chan
AnnaAndAva@gmail.com
Cell: 510-406-1625


The Lemon Lady
Fruit harvesting project in the local news…


April 2009 - The Concordian Newspaper, Local Act of Kindness Brings Fruit To The Hungry Page 6, Volunteer Combats hunger pound for pound with fruit http://www.myconcordian.com/Issues/2009%20April/index.html

April 13, 2009 - KALW Crosscurrents Radio Reporter, Martina Castro
http://crosscurrents-economicedge.blogspot.com/2009/04/lemon-lady.html

March 20, 2009 - The Clayton Pioneer Newspaper, front page, Volunteer Combats Hunger http://www.claytonpioneer.com/CEPDFS/2009_Clayton_Pioneer_0320.pdf

March 18, 2009 - KGO Newstalk AM810 Radio, Bret Burkhart Interviewed Anna Chan, The Lemon Lady, on location at The Salvation Army in Concord http://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org/news_files/lemon_lady.html

Click below to listen:

Podcasts - Good News: The Lemon Lady
In this installment of Good News, KGO's Bret Burkhart tells us about Anna Chan, who gathered fruit from neighborhood trees that would've otherwise ended up in the green bin, and took it to very grateful food banks around the Bay Area. You might say her plan came to fruition!

March 13, 2009 - Food Bank Contra Costa and Solano
One-woman door-to-door campaign against hunger
http://foodbankccs.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-woman-door-to-door-campaign-against.html

March 11, 2009 - Diablo Magazine, writer Martha Ross
http://www.diablomag.com/D-blog/Best-Of-Editor-Picks/March-2009/The-Lemon-Lady-of-Contra-Costa/

February - April 2009 - www.CLAYCORD.com - Lemon Lady of Claycord http://claycord.blogspot.com/search/label/Lemon%20Lady%20of%20CLAYCORD

April 21, 2009 - LOCAL LEMON LADY SEEKS FELLOW LEMON LADY
March 19, 2009 - TALK ABOUT GARDENING ON CLAYCORD.com
March 18, 2009 - THE "LEMON LADY OF CLAYCORD" ON KGO RADIO
February 27, 2009 - THE LEMON LADY OF CLAYCORD, STILL PICKIN'
February 19, 2009 - ANNA DOES IT AGAIN, OVER 450-LBS COLLECTED
February 10, 2009 - CLAYCORDIANS WHO CARE ABOUT CLAYCORDIANS

February 16, 2009 - www.MisterWriter.com, writer Andre' Gensburger http://ccexm.blogspot.com/2009/02/feeding-hungry-with-leftover-fruit-well.html

February 16, 2009 - Soccer Mom news blog, Local Hero: Clayton Woman http://crazyinsuburbia.blogspot.com/2009/02/local-hero-clayton-woman-finds-simple.html

January 23, 2009 - The Clayton Pioneer Newspaper article, scroll to page 9 http://www.claytonpioneer.com/CEPDFS/2009_Clayton_Pioneer_0123.pdf

My little pumpkin pie, the apple of my eye...






Contra Costa Times, Saturday, July 18, 2009...




Please be sure to read the Contra Costa Times newspaper on Saturday, July 18, 2009. Reporter Laura Casey visited The Lemon Lady at the Children's Community Garden in Concord, and another location to harvest fresh peaches for donation to the local food pantries.

Happy Gardening and Sweet Lemonade!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Anna, The Lemon Lady...Delivering produce to those who need it most!



June 10, 2009 - THE LEMON LADY OF CLAYCORD ON ABC7 NEWS
February - June 2009 - www.CLAYCORD.com - Lemon Lady of Claycord
http://claycord.blogspot.com/search/label/Lemon%20Lady%20of%20CLAYCORD


June 2009 - The Concordian Newspaper
What goes around comes around, especially with fruit and food
Page 18, By Anna Chan, Special To The Concordian
http://www.myconcordian.com/Issues/2009%20June/index.html


May 12, 2009 - CBS 5 Eye on Blogs
Lemon Lady Freshens Up Food Banks by Brittney Gilbert
http://cbslocalblogs.prospero.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?nav=main&webtag=kpix_eyeonblogs&entry=5553


April 26, 2009 - Crazy In Suburbia, Soccer Mom News blog
The Lemon Lady of Clayton starts her own blog
http://crazyinsuburbia.blogspot.com/2009/04/lemon-lady-of-clayton-starts-her-own.html


The very beginning...from the first tree to the first three tons!
http://thelemonlady.blogspot.com/2009/04/lemon-lady-fruit-harvesting-by-anna_23.html


Edible East Bay Magazine, Anna, The Lemon Lady page 7...

Thank you Cheryl Angelina Koehler for including a last minute mention of The Lemon Lady in your Summer 2009 print edition, Edible East Bay Magazine. This was very kind of you to promote awareness that fresh produce is welcome at County Food Banks and local food pantries. In Contra Costa County, please visit Food Bank of Contra Costa And Solano.

Readers may find a complimentary issue of Edible East Bay at many fine merchants or local Farmers' Markets information table.


Whenever there’s too much produce
Donate it to the food banks

Meet Anna Chan, The Lemon Lady of Claycord (Clayton and Concord), a one-woman campaign against hunger. “I have walked door-to-door since mid-February speaking with fruit tree owners in my community, and personally delivering over 3,500 pounds of fresh citrus to Salvation Army on Clayton Road, and to Monument Crisis Center, near Costco,” She says. You can find out how to join her by emailing AnnaAndAva@gmail.com or calling 510.406.1625

Monday, July 13, 2009

One person can make a difference...














"One person can make a difference and every person should try."
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Friday, July 10, 2009

Lemon Lady seeking Lemon Verbena...


Dear Gardening Friends,

A school garden I know would really enjoy planting lemon verbena. Does anyone out there have a seedling or cutting they may have?

Please reply to the Lemon Lady.

Thank you kindly.
510.406.1625

Community Alliance With Family Farmers: "Glean a Little Goodness"...




Thank you for the mention! Congratulations to all the other very dedicated volunteers organizing similar projects in their own communities. This is awesome news. Please visit CAFF at http://www.caff.org/.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Dear Garden Clubs: Clayton Valley, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek...


Soil cups, seeds wrapped in paper for donation to children. Nasturtiums are wonderful example flowers on how to save and collect seeds.

Thank you for visiting my website. You will find interesting information about local gardens I am donating time and supplies. I originally started all my volunteer projects as a self-funded, one-woman campaign against hunger.

In my adventures, I have met the most fascinating, kind and generous folks. Hundreds of neighbors have donated fresh, locally grown produce through my harvesting efforts, exceeding 9,000 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables since February.

I am thrilled to make acquaintances with the local Garden Clubs. One very important way you can help is to grow vegetable seedlings for donation to many community gardens around Contra Costa County. I can assure you, the need for donated seedlings will never run out. Children and families will delight in homegrown, nutritious produce year-round.

Click HERE to read about my Seedling Donation Project.

Another simple garden craft project that I have assembled, and you can too. Cups filled with potting soil wrapped in plastic wrap, a few seeds of different vegetables with stick markers to give to children. We can use unlimited amounts of those. I have crafted several hundred for donation already, and would definitely appreciate the help to deliver more around town.

I also have a need for nasturtium seeds! Please save those.

Happy Gardening, and be sure to read the Contra Costa Times newspaper on Saturday, July 18, 2009. Reporter Laura Casey visited The Lemon Lady at the Children's Community Garden in Concord, and another location to harvest fresh peaches for donation to the local food pantries.

It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Please drop me a line at: AnnaAndAva@gmail.com

Sincerely,
The Lemon Lady

P.S.
Please CLICK HERE to learn about Monument Community Gardens Action Team. I have donated many seedlings there too.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

A garden is a friend you can visit anytime...


Children's Community Garden in Concord, July 7, 2009

Contra Costa Times Photographer Jim Stevens, Anna, The Lemon Lady and the delightful children who tend the garden.

Please read an upcoming story by Reporter Laura Casey in the Contra Costa Times: Saturday, July 18, 2009 newspaper.

Click HERE to view all posts related to:
Children's Community Garden in Concord

Monday, July 6, 2009

Super Susan of the Salvation Army and Volunteer Vinnie Share with SHARE Food Pantry


Volunteer Vinnie and Super Susan of The Salvation Army


Susan Van Brocklin with Anna, The Lemon Lady

Sunday, July 5th was another produce collection day at the Contra Costa Certified Farmers' Markets (CCCFM), Walnut Creek and Martinez Farmers' Markets. I have written about Super Susan in the past. Susan is an employee of the Salvation Army who jumped on board with exhuberance to help collect produce for the hungry. Without her help and involvement, I would never get a day off! :)

Susan, Vinnie and the Lemon Lady also collect at the The Pacific Coast Farmers' Markets Association (PCFMA) which brings farmers markets to Concord, Clayton and surrounding communities.

Super Susan + Vinnie + The Lemon Lady = TRIPLE the fresh produce collected.

Thank you to all the Farmers who work so hard to bring delicious, nutritious bounty to our communities. At the end of the day, you are our TRUE HEROES.

The Lemon Lady and friends collect produce for several area food pantries. This collection was so large that we phoned SHARE Food Pantry President, George Conlow at home on Sunday afternoon. George and his lovely wife Lynda met us at The Salvation Army to transport their "share" of the produce to SHARE food pantry on Willow Pass Road. Thank you George and Lynda for your endless dedication and years of service to help feed the hungry in our community.

How Can You Help Bring Fruits and Vegetables to the Food Pantries?

How it all started...

Please listen to the KGO radio interview. It is still available on the Salvation Army of Concord's website, and at http://www.kgoradio.com/. In one month's time, I had knocked on over 50 neighbors' doors, collected approximately 2,000 pounds of fresh fruit and delivered it to local pantries such as the Salvation Army and Monument Crisis Center. I have since learned of another nearby food pantry called SHARE on Willow Pass Road in Concord.

The best way for volunteers to make a difference in their own community is to create their own projects independently of mine. Talk to your friends and family about fresh fruit and vegetable donations. If you are comfortable knocking on doors, introduce yourself and make new friends with your neighbors who own fruit trees. Collect and deliver produce directly to the local food pantries. If you have email and contacts through work, church, or other civic groups, spread the word. Share my website if you wish, http://www.thelemonlady.blogspot.com/. You cannot imagine how many folks still don't know to donate fresh fruits or vegetables to a nearby food pantry.

I have learned this by spending countless hours writing letters to churches, civic groups, and others to print mention of The Lemon Lady or the fact that excess produce is accepted at local food pantries. Churches can be very helpful if they would print mention in their weekly bulletin. What better way to serve our community than bringing fresh, healthy produce directly to the needy? Think outside the can or box, think FRESH!

Hopefully, churches and other civic groups will catch on and write about it. For that matter, anyone that prints a newsletter or bulletin. Afterall, that is what the thoughtful journalists have been doing all along...writing about the hunger cause. Keeping the word out there to increase awareness about something so wonderful, easy and free.

I assure you there are hundreds of thousands of pounds of fruit ripening on trees throughout Clayton, Concord, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Orinda, Lafayette, Danville, Alamo, San Ramon and the entire West Coast. California is a utopia of freshly grown, wild fruit in abundance.

Please feel free to contact me by email anytime. I welcome the opportunity to brainstorm for ideas together. Thank you for being inspired to create your own project that helps bring fresh fruits and vegetables to the hungry of our community.

Sincerely,
The Lemon Lady

P.S.
Another thought...please visit the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, and read the Food Bank Blogspot, its a separate blog. All hunger relief outfits depend greatly on volunteers to organize, sort, and distribute food to the hungry. Very impressive is that SHARE Food Pantry on Willow Pass Road has been in operation for over 20 years, and they are totally volunteer staffed, no paid employees!

Friday, July 3, 2009

The Lettuce Leaf Newsletter...

Thank you, Jessie Neu for taking the time to learn about and support my one-woman fruit harvesting campaign against hunger!

Jessie is the Executive Director of the Contra Costa Certified Farmers' Markets and author of The Lettuce Leaf Newsletter.
"Anna Chan, aka The Lemon Lady, will be featured in an ABC7 News story airing at 6pm this Friday, July 3rd. Catch her broadcast to learn more about her neighborhood fruit collection and food security issues affecting local communities. Thank you, Anna, for your dedication to the community food banks and the needy that they serve!"