A recent community initiative led by the Climate Action Committee of Cupertino Rotary club turned neighborhood abundance into a source of hope for local families. In just 3-1/2 hours, a small team of volunteers harvested approximately 250 pounds of fresh fruit from neighborhood trees.

The pilot harvest project, completed in late April, saw volunteers from Cupertino Rotary and West Valley Community Services gathering fruit from local trees. Their efforts filled about a dozen crates, transforming what might otherwise have gone to waste into nutritious food for neighbors in need.

The harvest was organized as a collaborative effort, with volunteers picking, sorting and packing the fruit, which was then distributed to clients of West Valley Community Services who are dealing with food insecurity.

This local harvest effort is part of a broader movement championed by organizations like Village Harvest, which engages volunteers to harvest and distribute fresh fruits from neighborhood trees.

As the growing season continues, the Cupertino Rotary Club and West Valley Community Services are looking for residents to donate fruit from their trees for the next harvest. Those with an abundance of pesticide- and worm-free citrus, apples or pears can sign up to participate at https://bit.ly/44Hh2ek

Vidula Aiyer is the organizer of the community fruit harvest.