The Connections Bridgewater Somerville Edition November 2020

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Limit 1 coupon per household/business. $ 10 00 OFF ANY CUTTREE CouponExpires12/23/2020 By: Emily Hourihan The Sharing Project volunteer crew: top from left to right: Anna Goldgirsh, Michael Churikov, Matthew Borinshteyn, Geervan Bhattacharjee. Bottom row: Elizabeth Evdokimova, Matthew Goldgirsh, WillamWang; Missing in the photo: Gairick Bhattacharjee, Dr. Rekha Mandel, Maks Mande As a child, Matthew Borinshteyn was a ‘budding’ young gardener; he loved planting seeds and delight- ed in watching plants grow. As he grew up, he and his mother built a vegetable garden in their Mendham backyard and have enjoyed plentiful harvests. Like most teens, Matthew was involved in many food drives, but, unlike most teens, he won- dered, “If we all are trying to ensure healthy nutrition based on vegeta- bles and fruits, why do we provide families in need only canned foods and other non-perishable items?” Matthew felt people should be able to have healthy food on their table, regardless of income. As a high school junior, Matthew teamed up with his friend, Matthew Goldgirsh, also of Mendham, and the young men decided to take on a challenge they called “The Sharing Project,” as their Learning Service Project for their rigorous Interna- tional Baccalaureate program. The mission was to grow and share fresh produce with families in need. The Matthews partnered with local food pantries, that were will- ing to accept and distribute pro- duce donations. Initially, the idea was to grow the produce at the school garden, but Covid-19 cre- ated logistical problems. They de- cided to engage community mem- bers, gardeners, and students to find more places to grow and tend crops. And the gardens grew! The team donated the produce to the Chester Mendham Food Pantry, regularly supplying about 50 families with a wide variety of fresh produce. Over 600 pounds of vegetables were donated. The Sharing Project donat- ed 26 pounds of produce to the Inter- faith Food Pantry, which serves approx- imately 2000 people in Morris County, and the founders are even more mo- tivated to expand the project to feed more families next year. The entire farm-to-table process, or garden-to-table process, has been a source of pride, and the team is motivated to escalate their long-term goals. “Every time we deliver the do- nations,” Matthew says, ”I invite vol- unteers to experience rsthand how rewarding it is to bring the harvest to the food pantry. I am beyond grateful to all volunteers, local gardeners, com- munity members, and leaders who of- fered their help, supplies, and crops.” Matthew worked closely with Mendham Township Committee- woman Amalia Duarte to develop a plan and secure dedicated land for a Sharing Project community gar- den for the new growing season in Mendham at Mt. Pleasant Park. The Township Committee is supportive of Borinshteyn’s proposal. More vol- unteers have already joined to help build the garden, ensuring the con- tinuity of the effort after several vol- unteers go off to college next year. The plan is to register The Sharing Project as a non-pro t organization and engage with new corporate and farming partnerships to build the garden in Mendham. The mission has evolved with experience, and the goal is not only to grow to pro- duce for local families in need, but also to educate youth about gar- dening, healthy nutrition, sustain- ability, and social responsibility. To get involved, please email: TheSharingProject2020@gmail.com On FaceBook https: //www.facebook.com/The-Sharing- Project-100773538293471/ ?modal=admin_todo_tour GREEN THUMBS UP! West Morris Mendham High Seniors Team Up On The Sharing Project The mission has evolved with experience, and the goal is not only to grow to produce for local families in need, but also to educate youth about gardening, healthy nutrition, sustainability, and social responsibility. “If we all are trying to ensure healthy nutrition based on vegetables and fruits, why do we provide families in need only canned foods and other non-perishable items?” Matthew felt people should be able to have healthy food on their table, regardless of income. C N ...