Plant a Row for the Hungry, Port Washington and ReWild Long Island will hold a Commendation Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 15 to recognize over 30 middle and high school students for their work with the Summer Program to Fight Hunger and Climate Change.

Local legislators and community leaders have been invited to join in this recognition. The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. at the Helen Keller National Center, 141 Middle Neck Road, Port Washington.

Students elected to spend their summer learning how to sustainably plant, grow, maintain and harvest vegetables, flowers and herbs. They also learned about regenerative farming practices, composting, native plants and invasive species. Produce from the gardens was delivered to Bayles Garden Center and then to Our Lady of Fatima’s Food Pantry for the food insecure. In exchange for 60 volunteer hours, students receive a modest stipend.

In its third year of operation, the Summer Program offered expanded and unique learning environments such as the Sands Point Preserve, Science Museum of Long Island, the Sands-Willet House, the United Universalist Congregation of Shelter Rock, Adult Activity Center, Helen Keller National Center and ReWild Garden at the Dodge Homestead.

Adult volunteers at each site shared their expertise with the students, inspiring many of last year’s students to choose environmental studies as their college/career path.

Students and organizers will share what they have learned through the Summer Program.

The Summer Program is a partnership between ReWild Long Island and Plant A Row for the Hungry.