GLEANING SEASON KICKOFF: “Fantastic, best ever,” is how Gleaning Coordinator Rob Koenig described the s tart to the 2022 gleaning season. One new Benton City orchard donor + 12 new
volunteers + dozens of seasoned gleaners = 3,250 pounds of cherries. Picked over two days, the cherries were shared with food banks in Benton City, Kennewick, Richland and Pasco, as well as Soul Soup and Grace Clinic.
According to Rob, there were more volunteers at the two gleanings than at any previous gleaning event, and we broke our previous record for cherries gleaned. Special thanks to Cheri & Harold Baker who helped organize and coordinate the gleanings.
In addtion to the cherry gleaning, volunteers have collected more than 725 pounds of fresh produce from weekly farmer’s markets. Thank you to dedicated service of volunteers like Lora Rathbone, Jan Ruppert, Kathy Schweiger and Ron Utter.
INVITE TO THE MUSEUM: As a member of theColumbia Basin Non-Profit Association, Fields of Grace has been gifted 2 passes to visit the East Benton County History Museum in Kennewick. If you would like to visit the Museum at Keewaydin, send an email to admin@fields-of-grace.com. The museum features local history back to the 1800s, a vinyl record collection, one of the largest arrowhead collections in the Pacific Northwest, exhibts on Kennewick Man, Wooly Mammoth, Old Homesteads and more.
T-SHIRTS & HOODIES:  A shipment of Fields of Grace apparel has arrived.
If you are interested in a T-shirt ($15) or hoodie ($30), send an email indicating the size you’d like to admin@fields-of-grace.com. Or ask about the shirts at the next gleaning.
“Hunger is not solved by money, it’s solved by sharing.” —Pastor Joel R.
RIB DINNER TASTY SUCCESS: The 2022 Rib Dinner To Go fundraiser in June was a wonderful success, bringing in $6,000 for Fields of Grace. Thank you to everyone who supported the event by purchasing rib dinners, selling rib dinners, helping with the planning and working in the kitchen.
Special thanks to our Chef Bev Matthews who coordinated the event and planned the menu, and to Adam Lamberd (94.9 The Wolf Radio) who slow smoked the racks of ribs.
We also are grateful to those who provided in-kind support for the event:
- June Allwardt (West Highlands United Methodist Church) donated 4 doz farm-fresh eggs for the potato salad.
- U.S. Chef Store provided a $50 gift card for the baked beans.
- Douglas Fruit donated a box of Granny Smith apples.
- The Anderson Law team turned those apples into homemade apple crisp—and provided a $500 donation.
- Grace Kitchen donated 6 jars of their special Perfection Pork Rub for the ribs. (Available for purchase at Ranch and Home or at the new Public Market in Kennewick.)
- Ranch and Home provided space in front of their Kennewick store for smoking the ribs. We made an additional $255 selling raffle tickets for a rib dinner at Ranch and Home.
CHECKBOOK CHANGES HANDS: After serving 9 years as
 Treasuer for Fields of Grace, Henry Johnson stepped away from the Board of Directors. He has accepted a position as a borad member for the Coram Deo Academy Christian School in Kennewick.
“I want to let you all know that it has been a very uplifting experience these past nine years to serve on the Fields of Grace board. I hope and expect to be able to continue in some gleaning opportunities in the future as well,” –Henry
Welcome to Megan Lerchan who has stepped up as the new Fields of Grace Treasurer. A recent Battelle retiree, watch for Megan at gleaning events…and say Hi!
WHO WILL LEAD THEM? Do you have a heart for the Fields of Grace ministry? Do you enjoy working with volunteers? Are you interested in making a positive impact in our community? Fields of Grace is searching for an Executive Director. Could it be you…or someone you know?
After four years as the current Executive Director, Lisa Williams and her husband Mark find themselves relocating. Mark has been appointed pastor of the Selah United Methodist Church. For a copy of the Executive Director job description or more information, email admin@fields-of-grace.com or contact Board President Gerry Berges.
A NOTE of THANKS Thank you for supporting Fields of Grace whether that’s by gleaning, hauling the trailer, purchasing a rib dinner, being part of the Prayer Team or providing financial support, you are helping to further the mission of sharing God’s harvest with the Mid-Columbia. Bless You!
EVERY PENNY COUNTS Shopping through Amazon you can support Fields of Grace. Simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/80-0347599 or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon Shopping app and AmazonSmile donates to Fields of Grace. Every penny you help raise, helps feed our community!Tax-deductible donations may be made directly to Fields of Grace online (www.fields-of-grace.com) or mailed to P.O. Box 1766, Richland, WA. 99352. Let’s keep this ministry going strong in 2022!
Questions: admin@fields-of-grace.com
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