By Christine Bryant
Staff Writer
The Reynoldsburg Farmers’ Market is giving organizations the opportunity to showcase their services and residents the chance to learn more about them.
Throughout the summer, in addition to vegetable stands and homemade products, a special booth each week will showcase a different non-profit organization in the community. There is no charge to the organization, which shares its mission with market attendees, said Kristin Hampton-Harmon, market manager for the city of Reynoldsburg.
“Some organizations sell water or small items, but it’s truly not for fundraising,” she said. “Exposure is the biggest benefit to being in the booth. The exception to that is Helping Hands because they collect a lot of food and cash donations when they come.”
Previous organizations that have attended so far this market season include the Reynoldsburg Lions Club, the Salvation Army and the Reynoldsburg Cross Country team.
On July 7 and 28, the Helping Hands food pantry will attend the market to collect food or cash donations.
Janet Munjas, Helping Hands coordinator, said the organization needs to be careful to make sure its clients are supplied with enough food during the summer when children are home from school.
“Now they must eat breakfast and lunch at home rather than at school,” Munjas said. “They need a good supply of food and even snacks.”
The organization also tries to have enough fruits and vegetables on hand for those in need.
“I feel we have a greater responsibility to our children in the summer,” Munjas said.
Though not the first season the farmers’ market has offered the community booth, organizers are promoting the opportunity more this year so organizations can take advantage of the unique chance to reach out to the public for free.
In fact, Hampton-Harmon said there are still some slots available for local groups in July and August. Organizers specifically are looking for local groups and kids organizations such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H, but not political groups.
Organizations interested in participating in the farmers’ market should contact Hampton-Harmon at (614) 322-6839.
The Reynoldsburg Farmers’ Market is held every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. until Sept. 8 in Huber Park, located behind the Senior Center, 1520 Davidson Drive.
