Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® supports Laurel families with Thanksgiving food donations from community garden

Seeds that were planted this summer will help families in need during this holiday season. Psi Epsilon Omega (PEO) Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) will be donating fresh produce items to Elizabeth House, a nonprofit all-volunteer food pantry and soup kitchen in Laurel.

The donations will be provided to 210 homeless and low-resource families of the greater Laurel area on Nov. 19. This date coincides with Elizabeth House’s annual Thanksgiving giveaway to residents. The food will largely consist of produce grown via PEO’s 1908 Harvest Project, an initiative that continues to address food insecurity in Prince George’s County.

“The purpose of the 1908 Harvest Project, under PEO's Environmental Justice Subcommittee, is to grow and harvest healthy and nutritious vegetables to fight against food insecurity in Prince George’s County,” said Benita A. Swindell, PEO president. “We have been watering and weeding all summer and are wrapping up our gardening season by providing fresh vegetables to residents of one of the Maryland communities we serve. Service is the heart of Alpha Kappa Alpha.”

The sorority is hoping its 1908 Harvest Project will increase the crop yield and a variety of fresh produce they can continue to donate. The chapter has reserved additional space in a Bowie community garden, which has already yielded tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, and much more.

“In addition to our community garden, PEO has also incorporated a home gardening component for our chapter members to increase their knowledge of the associated health benefits of eating fresh produce and to learn simple techniques for growing fresh fruits and vegetables at home,” added Swindell.

Planting began in May of 2022, and 190 pounds of produce has been donated to Elizabeth House since August.