Annual Apples for Everyone event
SWANTON – Johnston Fruit Farms’ Apples for Everyone event returns this Saturday, Sept. 27, transforming the simple joy of apple picking into a chance for the community to give back to those in need.
For 17 years now, Johnston Fruit Farms has held their annual event for picking apples to donate to the local food banks in the area. Each year, people from throughout the community come together to have fun and help pick apples to be loaded up and sent to places like the SeaGate Food Bank in Toledo.
Last year, over 10,000 pounds of apples were picked to be donated.
“We try to pick a minimum of 10,000,” owner Martha Mora said. Farming manager Fernando Mora noted that all the fresh apples collected from the community that day get loaded up to be sent out to the food bank.
Cheri Dennis, director of community engagement at the SeaGate Food Bank, has been very thankful for the community and events like Apples for Everyone.
“We are just very gracious for all of the support that we get from the community,” Dennis said. “They continue to allow us to keep our doors open. They allow us to put food on the tables of our neighbors in need. I don’t know how many families roundabout get the apples, but I know that there are thousands of families that are supported by the Apples for Everyone event. They are very well received, especially when it comes to our senior population.”
Over the years, Apples for Everyone has grown into an anticipated event, Martha Mora said. “So the main focus of the event is to pick apples for the food bank, and the first three years, that’s all we did.” But now the event has become more than just apple picking.
“Eventually, we thought it would be fun to have some musicians, local food and games for the kids,” she said. “And so we kind of turned it into a little more of an event.”
Every year, hundreds of people come out to volunteer to help pick apples; however, picking apples isn’t the only area people can help with.
“We have different areas that we need help with,” Mora said. Some of the areas in need of volunteers are helping with games, directing people to where to pick apples and informing others about how to pick the apples. Normally, the farm would like to have a minimum of 25 people to help in these specific areas. The farm asks interested volunteers to please call or stop by to sign up. They also welcome walk-in volunteers on the day of the event.
The team at Johnston Fruit Farms has been very grateful for the community’s help each year. Fernando Mora talked about how the event is a great learning experience for parents to teach their children the joys of giving.
“Come over and just teach your kids how to give,” he said. “If you don’t have money to give, you can give your time by picking the apples for somebody in need.”
Martha Morra added, “And that’s the fun thing; you don’t have to bring a can of food or anything. The only thing that we’re asking the community to donate is their time and just their help in picking the apples.”
So, if you are looking for a fun family event this fall to help those in need, come out to Johnston Fruit Farms for this year’s Apples for Everyone event. The event will take place at the farm on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can even indulge in some fresh cider and donuts on the way out.
Photos courtesy of Johnston Fruit Farms unless otherwise noted.
