Food Bank Banter Share your harvest with neighbors in need by Nicole Ramirez, Director of Programs There’s a special kind of joy that comes with tending a garden. Watching tiny seedlings grow into baskets overflowing with tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, beans, herbs, and fruit is one of the great rewards of the growing season. But for many home gardeners, there comes a point when the harvest becomes more than one household can possibly eat. Instead of letting fresh produce go to waste, consider sharing your garden’s abun- dance with the local food bank serving the San Geronimo Valley and Marin wide. Fresh fruits and vegetables are among the most requested—and often the hardest to source—items for food assistance programs. While shelf-stable foods are essen- tial, locally grown produce provides nutritious, flavorful options that many fami- lies might not otherwise have access to. A handful of tomatoes, a basket of green beans, or a bag of lemons can brighten someone’s table and support healthier meals. Donating from your garden doesn’t require a huge harvest. Even a few extra cucumbers, peppers, squash, or herbs can make a meaningful difference when combined with donations from other local gardeners. Every contribution helps. If you’re planning your garden this season, you might even consider planting an extra row specifically for donation. Many gardeners find that growing with sharing in mind adds another layer of purpose to their work. What begins as a few extra seeds can become dozens of meals for local families. When preparing produce for donation, harvest at peak freshness, gently rinse away excess dirt if appropriate, and remove any damaged or overripe items. Pack fruits and vegetables in clean containers or reusable bags and deliver them as soon as possible so they arrive in excellent condition. Gardening has always been about more than growing food. It connects us to the seasons, the land, and one another. Sharing your harvest extends that connection beyond your own backyard and strengthens the spirit of community that makes the San Geronimo Valley such a special place. This growing season, if your tomato vines are overflowing or your zucchini seem to multiply overnight, remember that your abundance can become someone else’s healthy dinner. A simple act of generosity can nourish others and offer the grower a sense of care and connection that helps a community thrive. So when your garden gives you more than you need, share the harvest. Contact Julie Young to coordinate your food donation: jyoung@sgvcc.org.
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What makes the San Geronimo Valley such a special place to call home?
It’s coming together to celebrate one another. It’s sharing a delicious meal with neighbors, laughing over a little friendly competition at the gaming tables, dancing to live music, and investing in the programs that help our community thrive.
That’s what the Heart of the Valley Benefit is all about.
On Saturday, October 10, the Community Center’s signature annual benefit returns in our courtyard for an unforgettable evening, celebrating everything that makes our Valley extraordinary. This year’s event is especially meaning- ful as we honor Zoila Berardi, founder of our after school program whose remarkable 50 years of service have shaped generations of children and fami- lies throughout West Marin. Whether you know Zoila personally or simply appreciate the countless ways the Community Center enriches life in the San Geronimo Valley, Nicasio, and greater West Marin, this is a celebration you won’t want to miss. Guests will enjoy an evening filled with authentic Central Texas barbecue from Lone Mountain Barbecue, casino-style games presented by Atomic Casino, a silent auction featuring more than 75 incredible items from local businesses, and live music from internationally acclaimed Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys. Most importantly, it’s an opportunity to gather together in joyful celebration of a community that continues to care for one another. Every ticket purchased and every paddle raised in the fund-in-need helps make the Community Center’s work possible. Proceeds support programs
that serve thousands of people each year—from youth programs and after- school enrichment to food security, services for older adults, arts, recreation, and opportunities for neighbors of all ages to connect, learn, and thrive. This year’s Fund-a-Need will invest directly in Youth Programs, ensuring local children continue to have safe places to learn, play, grow, and belong. The Heart of the Valley Benefit is one of those evenings when our entire community comes together—longtime residents and newcomers, parents and grandparents, volunteers, local businesses, and friends from across West Marin—to celebrate what we’ve built together and invest in what comes next. Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys will have you on your feet with their high-energy blend of rockabilly, western swing, country, and rhythm & blues at the Heart of the Valley Benefit on October 10.
Every donation makes a difference. Our Food Bank volunteers and staff help connect fresh, healthy food with neighbors across West Marin.
Come for the barbecue. Stay for the music. Bid on something wonderful. Celebrate Zoila. Reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Most of all, join us in ensuring the Community Center continues to be a place where everyone belongs.
Save the date: Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 5:00–10:00 p.m. Tickets are available on our website or scan the QR code. To sponsor the event or donate an item for our auction email Jessica O’Connell at joconnell@sgvcc.org.
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