When Neha Bhatnagar \u201926 looks at the thriving produce in rows at the Furman Farm, she sees more than what\u2019s on the surface. She sees an opportunity to fight food insecurity for Greenville\u2019s young people.<\/p>\n
As one of this year\u2019s Furman Fellows, the neuroscience major is leading an initiative to donate fresh produce from the Furman Farm to Monaview Elementary, a Title I school in Greenville County where many families struggle with access to healthy meals. The partnership builds on her long-standing work with Blessings in a Backpack, a volunteer program that provides weekend food bags for local students.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey wanted to create their own food pantry so families could come when they needed help, not just food security for the weekends,\u201d Bhatnagar said.<\/p>\n
Working with Furman Farm manager Bruce Adams, Bhatnagar has helped plan a harvest event on November 24, when volunteers will gather to collect the surplus of fall crops like kale, chard, spinach, broccoli and mustard greens, and deliver them for Monaview families before the Thanksgiving break.<\/p>\n
This effort expands the reach of Blessings in a Backpack through Travelers Rest United Methodist Church. In two years, she\u2019s helped grow participation at Furman from a single volunteer to more than 50, now serving multiple schools in the Greenville area.<\/p>\n
\u201cBruce even offered to dedicate a row of plants just for Monaview,\u201d she said. \u201cThat way, the donation can continue even after I graduate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bhatnagar\u2019s commitment to health equity runs deep. A Greenville native, she started volunteering with Harvest Hope Food Bank in high school and will be attending the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville after graduating from Furman in May.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs someone who\u2019s pre-med, I\u2019ve always been interested in healthy access to food,\u201d Bhatnagar said. \u201cEven if it\u2019s just one bag of food, it means a child doesn\u2019t go hungry that night. That\u2019s what keeps me doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Furman students, faculty and staff are invited to help the harvest event:<\/p>\n
Monday, November 24 Volunteers will help harvest fresh produce and pack boxes to be delivered to Monaview Elementary for families to pick up before Thanksgiving break.<\/p>\n
\n11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Furman Farm (behind the Eco-cabins)
\nHarvest & Delivery Day <\/strong><\/p>\n