Pirates Harvest Food at America’s Grow-a-Row

PITTSTOWN, N.J. – In what has become an annual tradition and a signature event of the H.A.L.L. Program, two bus loads of Seton Hall student-athletes took time out to assist America’s Grow-a-Row (AGAR) in the fight against hunger by harvesting food at a farm.

Over 75 student-athletes traveled to America’s Grow-a-Row headquarters in Pittstown this past Sunday and helped harvest over 12,000 pounds of produce that will translate into 48,000 servings to be distributed throughout New Jersey food banks.

In an email addressed to Seton Hall student-athletes, America’s Grow-a-Row programming associate Holly McDonald wrote:

Your team definitely earned a mark in the “win column” for your amazing perseverance and efforts on this beautiful fall day! Your fantastic teamwork enabled you to pick tons of spaghetti squash. Together, your team harvested 12,000 pounds or 48,000 servings to help those dealing with hunger and food insecurity.

Not only is our team incredibly appreciative of your hard work and sweat in the fields, but those who will be receiving the produce are even more grateful – so a huge thank you for your time and perseverance.  Each one of you made such a difference in lives of so many people who are truly moved by what you have accomplished.

In the five years since it was formed, the partnership between The Hall and AGAR has made a tangible impact in the fight against hunger. Student-athletes have volunteered their time to harvest nearly 100,000 pounds of food.

The connection between Seton Hall and the Grow-a-Row organization extends beyond Sunday’s efforts as former basketball star Jerry Walker and his charity, Team Walker, have a longstanding partnership with the organization as well. Team Walker’s involvement doubles as an educational opportunity for the youth that it serves and in 2014, Jerry was honored at the second-annual Farm-to-Fork Fundraiser held by AGAR.

About America’s Grow-A-Row
America’s Grow-a-Row’s mission is to positively impact as many lives as possible through a volunteer effort of planting, picking, rescuing, and delivering free fresh produce. Thanks to the help of nearly 5,500 volunteers, America’s Grow-a-Row donated 1.2 million pounds of farm-fresh produce in 2015 bringing its total to over 4.9 million pounds of fresh, healthy food donated since 2002. For more information and to support America’s Grow-a-Row, visit www.americasgrowarow.org.