At Treasure Island Demonstration Garden, fall is a season of gratitude and giving. Gratitude, for the beauty and the camaraderie that has grown for yet another season. Giving, of the food that has been harvested after months of careful tending, donated by volunteers to their community.
Visitors to the garden will find inspiration in a demonstration area full of fall foliage and blooming beauties, followed by a stunning rainbow of zinnias. Behind the rainbow, rows of vegetables grow.
Vegetable garden volunteers maintain a time-honored tradition of growing fresh produce for those in need. Each year, they donate 1 to 2 tons of food to the Windsor-Severance Food Pantry— a tradition that has been upheld for the past 17 years.
Dave Unrein, one of the founding members of this tradition, reflects on his involvement:
“I began gardening about 65 years ago, growing up in a large, poor family that had to learn to fend for ourselves. We had the satisfaction of growing our own food and feeding ourselves. When the opportunity arose to lead the vegetable garden at Treasure Island, we jumped on it and set to work. The garden now is a treasured staple for the citizens who count on us for food.”
In the early hours of the morning, volunteers bring in the harvest. Produce is delivered fresh to the food pantry just before it opens at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“There is no feeling more satisfying than delivering for the people waiting at the food pantry,” Dave says. “It makes the hours of work worth it,” he says.
The Windsor-Severance Food Pantry is a cornerstone of support for people in hard times. Their mission is to provide residents of the Weld County RE-4 School District with food, toiletries, and other daily necessities.
“The produce that Treasure Island provides is so important to the clients of the food pantry because it gives households important access to fresh vegetables,” says Brenda Heckman, Executive Director. “Many of our clients have to choose between purchasing food or other necessities for their families. The fresh produce is a welcome treat for many of them.”
Both Treasure Island and the Food Pantry are volunteer-supported organizations. You can join the effort by visiting their websites.
windsorseverancefoodpantry.com
recreationliveshere.com/TreasureIsland
BUTTERNUT OLIVE OIL BREAD
Cooking with the Fall Harvest
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- ¼ tsp. sea salt
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. cloves
- ¼ tsp. nutmeg
- ¼ tsp. allspice
- 2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 1/3 c. butternut squash puree *(store bought or fresh pureed)
- ½ c. brown sugar
- 1/3 c. non-dairy milk
- ¼ c. olive oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS:
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Pre-heat oven to 350 F.
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Spray or use parchment paper liner for a 4.5 X 8.5 loaf pan.
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In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients (baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, spices, flour).
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In another bowl, mix all wet ingredients with the brown sugar.
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Fold the dry ingredients into the wet bowl. Mix until everything is incorporated; make sure not to overmix. Mixture should be thick but not too thick to mix. If thinning is needed, add 1 tbsp. of milk.
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Pour mixture into loaf pan and bake in the oven for one 1 hour. Check the bread with a toothpick after baking. If needed, bake for 5 more minutes then check again.
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Let cool for one 1 hour before slicing.
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Top with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or enjoy as is!
"There is no feeling more satisfying than delivering for the people waiting at the Food Pantry". - Dave Unrein