Although it took place on another rainy day, the second annual Flying Pumpkin Festival was a success.  NJ Hurl used their brand new torsion catapult named Alesia to launch pumpkins into the clouds and across the fields.  Visitors also participated in the cake walk, corn car building and racing, pumpkin picking, a miniature pumpkin launching challenge, face painting, balloon animals, a petting zoo, a guess-how-many booth, and family races.  Also, the festival featured a live performance by pop singer Gillian Held.  In total, the festival raised over $3000 for America's Grow-A-Row.  Thank you to all who made a contribution.   

How many are 
hungry today?

About 1.017 billion people in the world are undernourished.  That's about one seventh of the world population.

About 16, 500 people will die of hunger today.

9.6 million children die every year from hunger and malnutrition.

35.5 million people in the US experience hunger or the risk of hunger.  That represents more than 10% of American households. 

11.7 million children in the US must skip meals or eat less to make ends meet.

Statistics courtesy of America's Grow-A-Row and Stopthe hunger.com.  

     A Word about America's Grow-A-Row

    In 2003, America's Grow-A-Row began with a single volunteer, Chip Paillex, who grew and donated about $3,000 worth of produce to his local food bank.  Since then, the program has grown by leaps and bounds, and in 2009, America's Grow-a-Row donated more than 300,000 pounds of produce to those in need.  It accomplished this tremendous feat by planting and caring for vegetable gardens on donated land, gleaning produce from Peaceful Valley Orchards, the farm at which the Flying Pumpkin Festival is hosted, and other local farms, and by rescuing produce from local ShopRite stores that was still good but that could not be sold. 
     Please visit their website to learn more about this phenomenal charity.