Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions:

Harvesting for the Hungry:

1. What do I bring and wear to a Harvesting for the Hungry event?
2. Are my children or youth organization allowed to join in on the fun?
3. I often see trees, loaded with fruit that is not being harvested.  How
   do I let the homeowners know about Village Harvest?

1. What do I bring and wear to a Harvesting for the Hungry event?

A:  Musts:  Shirt with sleeves, long pants and covered shoes. 

Suggested: Long sleeves (to protect yourself from branches), comfortable shoes and  clothing in layers, suncover, gloves, and a bag or box to take fruit home. 

Optional:    Hand pruners 

2. Are my children or youth organization allowed to join in on the fun?

A:  Yes.  We encourage families and students to join in, but how many children we can have and how old they need to be depends upon what's being harvested. 

Many of the summer fruit orchards (late June - August) are fairly short and harvested without ladders.  During that time we invite families and youth organizations to join in.  During citrus season (December - July) we encourage high school students and a few well supervised younger children.  Persimmons (November) are the most strenuous fruit to harvest so we require volunteers to be high school age and older.   Cherries (early June) are harvested on ladders so volunteers must be 16 years and older. 

All children must have a signed waiver by their parents.  Click here to download Volunteer and Child Liability Release.

Children 16 and above:
- Must be supervised by an adult to use ladders.
- Must come with their own transportation.

Children 7-16 are welcome at some events (please call if it's not indicated on the schedule):
- Must be supervised by an adult at least 3:1.
- Must come with their own transportation.
- May not be on ladders.  Children under 16 are welcome to use the fruit pickers, harvest fruit from the ground, help sort and carry fruit.

3. I often see trees, loaded with fruit that is not being harvested.  How
   do I let the homeowners know about Village Harvest?
   
   A:  If these homes are in Santa Clara County between Palo Alto and Willow Glen, San Jose, print out our homeowner flyer and approach the resident to see if they have plans for the fruit or would consider donating it to the hungry in our community.  Have them check out our web-site for drop-off locations or contact Village Harvest if they are in need of harvesting assistance.