The First United Methodist Church of Winslow, in collaboration with The Rotary Club of Winslow and Mother Road Farmers Market, played host to a remarkable event on Dec. 6. This event, known as Borderlands’ Produce On Wheels With-Out Waste (P.O.W.W.O.W.), recently put Winslow on their map to deliver fresh and rescued produce to the community.
Last week, the distribution was a resounding success, with more than 1,000-pounds of garlic and hundreds of pounds of cherry tomatoes, squash, yellow melon, and various other produce items being distributed to eager community members.
Located at 101 E Hillview Street, the event provided an invaluable opportunity for local residents to support a meaningful cause while gaining access to an abundance of fresh, rescued produce. For inquiries, individuals were encouraged to reach out to powwow@borderlandsproducerescue.org.
The limited Drive Up & Take Away (Reserve A Box) option allowed attendees to reserve a box in advance, ensuring they received a share of the fresh produce. Alternatively, participants could opt for the in-person drive-thru style, offering a more immediate experience.
Volunteers at the event even posted on several Facebook groups advertising the event while it was happening in order to get rid of all the produce they were given, which made the event sell out more quickly than expected.
With a minimum $10 donation, each box contained an assortment of five to 10 different produce varieties, depending on what Borderlands Produce Rescue managed to salvage for the week. This initiative was not just about nourishing the community but also supporting Borderlands Produce Rescue’s mission to rescue 20-30 million pounds of fresh produce each year while saving hundreds of pounds of quality produce from the landfill.
Volunteers efficiently managed the drive-thru setup, collecting donations and loading the rescued produce directly into attendees’ vehicles, making it a seamless and contactless experience for everyone involved.
It’s noteworthy that from the last time the event was held, the event time was adjusted to 12 noon, in contrast to previous distributions held at 8 a.m. This change was made to accommodate varying weather conditions and logistical considerations, the cold weather that early made the whole process less desirable for the volunteers and residents alike.
Organizers emphasized that event details may change due to factors like weather conditions, supply availability, or major events. For the most up-to-date information, residents are encouraged to follow Mother Road Farmers Market on Facebook.
The recent Borderlands’ P.O.W.W.O.W. distribution at the First United Methodist Church of Winslow surpassed expectations, providing an exceptional opportunity for Winslow residents to access fresh produce while supporting an admirable cause. These initiatives play a vital role in building a healthier and more sustainable community, one box of rescued produce at a time. During the holidays especially, this can make a big difference for families who do not have the greatest access to quality nutrition or even just for families who can use the money they saved to make the holiday season that much more special for their loved ones and their community.
