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Published August 20, 2008
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Pear Philanthropy, a Moraga Tradition
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| By Sophie Braccini |
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| Mayor Deschambault harvesting pears for the food bank Photo Sophie Braccini |
Between Saturday August 9th and Sunday the 10th, 135 volunteers collected just a few pounds shy of 10,000 pounds of pears for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano (FBCCS). “Summer is a harder time for us to meet our needs,” says Sharon Zeppegno of FBCCS, “in August, people go on vacation, they forget about giving, but not in Moraga.” For 10 years now, volunteers have been harvesting the pear orchard that sits at the corner of Canyon and Camino Pablo and that belongs to the Moraga school district. “It is a win-win operation,” says Rich Holden of the Parks and Recreation Foundation that organizes the harvest, “if they weren’t picked, the fruits would fall on the floor and rot… and it stinks!”
This year, Santa Monica Church offered to let the Foundation pick the pears on their property as well. This may be why this year’s harvest was so bountiful. All of the trees are ancient. They date back to the days when Moraga was the biggest private exporter of pears in the world. These Bartlett trees are pruned by the Foundation volunteers in January and February and continue to carry a great yield.
The large quantity is certainly welcomed at the FBCCS. “Right now we are servicing 98,000 people,” explains Zeppegno, “a 19.5% increase since 2006. Our need for fresh produce is huge.” Most of the families served by FBCCS are “working poor” families who earn minimum wage, and once the housing is paid do not have enough to feed their children. Moraga is the biggest fresh produce harvest for the food bank. Their other sources for foods are donations and purchase. “Back to school is an important moment for us,” says Zeppegno, “we always need peanut butter, cereals, and tuna for the poor children in the area.” To help, go to the bank’s web site: www.foodbankccs.org
The volunteers who came to help in Moraga know the meaning of their work. The National Charity Leagues has five chapters in the area that have been helping the food bank for years. The mother/daughter philanthropy gives a hand at harvesting and sorting. “This is my favorite philanthropy,” said Rachel, a junior in high school in Danville who came with her mother, “it is outside, the area is beautiful and we know this is needed.” Her younger brother was tagging along to get his community service hours. Many other community groups participated in the effort, the Youth Action Council, the Kiwanis, the Boys Scouts and of course Moraga citizens of all ages. Michael, father of 3- year-old Cathy and 5-year-old Max, came from around the block to help with the youngsters, “this is fun,” said the little girl as she helped Daddy pick the fruit near the church.
Moraga Mayor Lynda Deschambault was picking pears nearby, “It’s fun to come out and meet people,” she said, “this is part of the history of Moraga and it reminds me of the apple picking in the fall in my native New Hampshire.” Volunteers were asked to pick the pears green so they can keep for a few days before they reach the customers. They were stacked in the boxes provided by the FBCCS and taken away at the end of the day. “We are so grateful to the groups and families who came out to help us,” said Darlene Haffner, co-chair of the event, “the harvest is bountiful and we can feel the community spirit that runs deep in our town coming out.” She wants to remind residents and neighbors that the Moraga Pear Festival will be another great way to be part of the community; it will take place on September 27th at the Commons. For more information go to www.moragaparks.org. |
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| Reach Sophie Braccini at: sophie@lamorindaweekly.com |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA