"I came to a harvest at a time when I needed a community to
reach out to me. I was struggling with a long term illness, and was
feeling very alone. The prospect of fresh fruit and companionship pulled
me out of bed and energized me enough to make some connections. I was
captured by the friendliness and excitement of the other volunteers.
Sampling the produce was also exciting. I had never had an orange picked
directly from the tree before. The flavor and quality of a freshly picked
orange blasted all of my expectations about what citrus should taste
like. It was a small healing moment for me. I was so happy to be
sending something so amazing to people who really needed a boost. I could
relate in that moment.
As time went on, and I had the opportunity to not only
pick the fruit, but deliver it, recruit other volunteers, and get deeper into
the Harvest Club community, I came to love it more and more. I was able
to talk with growers about their trees, some with long history. I saw
just how many oranges would go to waste if we hadn't picked them. I
witnessed the joy it brought to people who received the produce. And I
got excited about finding new and better ways to serve this community. I
definitely look forward to being involved with this group for years to
come.
"
-Sarah Vay Kerns (Volunteer from OC Food Access)
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