Gleanings for the Hungry

I am in my second week of working here in Dinuba, CA near Fresno. This mission outreach creates dry soup mix in the winter and sends it all over the world to those in need. Last week over 1.9 million servings were created. Most of the time I put spices in the ziplock bags. Those bags then go over to the line where the dry veggies are put in and then packed in barrels. I also helped on the line burping the bags to get all the air out.

In the summer Gleanings will process peaches by cutting them, placing them on trays which are put in the field (several acres) to dry. The dry peaches are then packed into 5- gallon buckets and are, again, shipped all over the world.

While I was here I saw a truckload of 43,000 lbs of soup mix leave, headed for South Africa. There is a staff of about 30 people here. We were fed 3 meals/day and 2 snacks. Gleanings runs solely on donations. Amazing. You can read about it and watch a video on their website (or youtube) Gleanings.org.

Yuma, AZ

I spent over a week here in Yuma. I was able to see some friends and enjoy some of the shopping and markets here. The area supplies much of the nation's lettuce, citrus, dates, and nuts. Its been interesting seeing the harvests going on.

I also was able to take advantage of dental and optical opportunities in Mexico. I had heard from several people about the excellent work that is done, so I came here to find that most of the snowbirds come here for just those reasons. So, I got some inexpensive, good work done. Of course, there's also lots of shopping to be done there too.

Now I will be headed to Dinuba, CA (near Fresno) for a two week project with Gleanings.org.

I will be able to have a brief visit with some family members along the way.

Towerpoint Mesa, AZ

Well, unfortunately my time at the RV resort came to an end. I was in such denial about it that I stayed an extra day. I also made reservations for next winter.

While I was there I attended several exercise classes everyday and a variety of activities. These included medium and high intensity water aerobics (in the two heated outdoor pools), core muscle exercise, easy cardio & hand weights, line dancing, and Zumba. I played bocci ball, pickle ball, and Texas hold 'em.

I attended stain glass class and made a stain glass bird. The best class, though, involved lots of hours. It was lapidary and silver smithing. I cut, ground, and polished my own stone, then set it in a hand-made silver setting. cool.

There were so many more activities offered that it was hard to decide. Not to mention the weekly parties and happy hour.

I ran into my childhood neighbor. That was crazy. It was a good visit with him and with my brother and sister-in-law, who came for a couple days. Lots of laughs.

Now I am headed to Yuma, AZ. I will visit with former NOMADS team members. After that I am headed to Fresno, CA area to do a non-NOMADS project.