SINGING STRUMMER … Swanton resident Chris Crickett performs for attendees of Saturday’s Apples for Everyone event at Johnston Fruit Farms.
KID TIME … Children complete craft projects at Johnston Fruit Farms during their Apples for Everyone event on Saturday.
PHOTOS BY JESSE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES … The last of the 10,000 pounds of apples picked during Saturday’s Apples for Everyone event at Johnston Fruit Farms await their space in the cooler. The apples are donated to area food banks.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
Hundreds of volunteers turned out at Johnston Fruit Farms Saturday for their 17th annual Apples for Everyone event.
Each year, the farm invites the community to help pick apples for donation to local food banks, collecting roughly 10,000 pounds of the fruit.
The apples are then moved to a cooler until they are picked up by the food banks. This year, the fruit will go to the SeaGate Food Bank of Northwest Ohio, the Bowling Green Christian Food Pantry, the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, and The Open Door of Delta.
In addition to the apple picking, the event included activities for children, food trucks, a t-shirt sale, and live music courtesy of Swanton’s own Chris Crickett.
Erica Ritt, daughter of farm co-owner Martha Mora, said area residents have always been reliable in coming to help at the event.
“We’re really grateful for the community to come together and volunteer their time. I think it’s a unique way to give back instead of giving money.
“Everybody’s asking you to donate money these days for causes, so I think it’s really great that people are willing to donate their time and energy. It’s kind of hard work, picking apples,” Ritt said.