Community Garden Is Helping Feed Mendham, Chester People In Need

MENDHAM, NJ — As the region's temperatures drop, more and more people will find it more difficult to access fresh fruits and vegetables. But in Mendham, just one neighborhood organization is making all the difference.

The "The Sharing Project" is a nonprofit organization that was started by two siblings, Matthew and Emily Borinshteyn, as a way to make a difference in the community.

The project garden, which is located on Mt Pleasant Road in Mendham, has grown exponentially since its inception in 2021. According to Sharing Project officials, the group started with four garden beds and by the end of the 2021 gardening season, they were able to build five additional garden beds with the help of members of the Rotary Club of Mendham.

"Our amazing helpers from Girl Scout troop 97321 joined our HS volunteers in last November and planted garlic, which grew beautifully in the spring. In addition to the tomatoes and kale growing in 9 garden beds, students planted a variety of pumpkins along the fence and later, with the help of our youngest volunteers – members of the Young Gardener Club – we planted 20 more tomato plants directly into the ground. All of them grew beautifully and we harvested many red round tomatoes that were donated to CHMP starting from August 18th," the group shared on Facebook.

The organization was able to donate more than 1,800 pounds of fresh produce to the Chester and Mendham Food Pantry in 2022 alone, exceeding the amount of food donated at this time last year.

The Chester and Mendham Food Pantry, located at 100 North Road in Chester, serves the communities of Mendham and Chester. In 2003, the pantry purchased its current location, which is next to the Chester First Aid Squad building.

The food pantry serves over 20 families through deliveries and 35 walk-in families on a monthly basis, officials said.

The following is a list of some of the most needed items:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Toothpaste
• Chili
• Stew
• Hot Cereal
• Men's and Women's Deodorant
• Pancake mix
• Dessert mix
• Laundry Detergent
• Dish Detergent
• Crackers
• Cookies
• Drinks

"We appreciate all donations of non-perishable food items as well as hygiene products, health and beauty aids and paper products. We cannot accept items that are opened or that are past their expiration dates," said the food pantry.

For more information about The Sharing Project, visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/The-Sharing-Project-100773538293471 and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thesharingproject/.