Letter to the Editor: Jan. 9, 2013

Dear Editor:

Recently, a rototiller was stolen from a locked shed at the Anderson Community Garden.

The Anderson Community Garden is no ordinary garden. Covering nearly 2 acres and established through the generosity of many, the Anderson Community Garden provides food for those in need.

During the growing season, deliveries are made twice weekly to Anderson-Cottonwood Christian Assistance and once each week to the Good News Rescue Mission. Since 2010, more than 37,000 pounds of fresh nutritious produce has been given absolutely free of charge.

In addition, seniors and families come directly to the garden to assist with the harvest and take home a little food at the same time. Celebrating the end of the harvest, more than 100 guests visited the garden during the October Harvest Festival, picking another 1,800 pounds of veggies in a single day!

Several families have told me there were times when the only food they had was from the garden.

Literally thousands of people have been fed through the generosity of this community effort.

I write this letter hoping the thief will read it and consider this question: What possible use do you have for our rototiller that is better than feeding thousands?

The few dollars you can get for it will in no way equal its true value to the hungry.

When you cut the lock on that shed, you stole not only from the church, but also from the needy. We do not have the budget to spend $2,000 on a replacement rototiller.

Please do the right thing and return the rototiller.

Les Baugh, Pastor

Anderson Community Church