By Holly McCray

NORMAN-United Methodist Men sought out farmers-market merchants to secure a way to feed more hungry people in the Norman area.

For about three years, the men of McFarlin UMC have joined in a gleaning project. By hand, they have gathered produce left behind in fields, after commercial harvesting was complete. They've delivered the fresh produce to 17 feeding sites and food distribution centers that assist people in need.

Then an agreement with Norman Farm Market merchants enabled them to extend those donations well into Fall.

Bill Chissoe is president of the McFarlin Memorial UMMen Food Project. Since midsummer, Chissoe and other group members have gone to the market twice a week to collect unsold produce. On Oct. 8, the volunteers filled about 10 boxes with fresh foods. They will continue to visit the market until it closes for winter, Chissoe said.

He credited church member Howard Zimmerman with the idea to expand the gleaning project. "He's been on our gleaning trips, to Hydro and so forth. He thought the farmers-market produce that didn't sell got thrown out. When he told me that, I went out and asked farmers," Chissoe said.

The farmers at market welcomed the UMMen.

Chissoe recalled his own disappointment when he had to discard produce from his vegetable garden because he had too much and it spoiled.

At the Norman market, booth operator Louise Haber told a news reporter there is nothing wrong with the leftovers but, with the abundance of produce, food will spoil before the next market day.

"It is so much better to give it while it's still good. It's a blessing for us and for the people getting it," Haber said in an Aug. 28 story in the Norman Transcript.

Chissoe said recipients express their appreciation for the food supplies, whatever the amount. That varies, due to the nature of gleaning.

"Sometimes we may get 10 to 15 watermelons, besides okra, squash, and peppers. Maybe it's just tomatoes -but enough so several people could eat those tomatoes," Chissoe said.

"Anything that can ease their grocery budget. They have a hard time, I think, getting fresh produce into their budget. They thank me so profusely, (but) the farmers are the ones sweating and having to grow the food. All I'm having to do is pick it up and take it to them. Thank those farmers. I don't have to worry if we're getting enough rain or..."

Winter temporarily suspends the gleaning ministry. However, Chissoe said he is seeking food suppliers for the cold months. "There's no need for people to be hungry. It's a matter of getting food from the source to the people," he said.

Nationally, UMMen and the Society of St. Andrew collaborate on gleaning projects. George Cockrum of Sunny Lane UMC, in Del City, represents the Conference UMMen in that work. The McFarlin group learned about the ministry by taking part in a "potato drop," sponsored by the Tishomingo church. McFarlin's volunteers scheduled a similar "drop" in Norman for Oct. 25.

Chissoe said a DVD about hunger issues is available from the Society of St. Andrew (www.endhunger.org). That organization notes on its Web site: "Gleaning is the Biblical practice of hand-gathering crops left in the fields after harvest. We coordinate volunteers, growers, and distribution agencies to provide food for hungry people through gleaning. Each year more than 30,000 volunteers participate in our gleaning events."

As of Sept. 30, U.S. volunteers had gleaned more than 17.5 million pounds of food, according to Society statistics.

Howard Zimmerman, left, holds squash that Larry Haber, right, is donating to the Norman-McFarlin UMC gleaning project. The McFarlin UMMen started a gleaning project from their local farmer's market that helps feed several ministries in Norman.