Santa Barbara teens gleaning fruit from trees for those in need
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - After weeks in quarantine without much to do during the COVID-19 pandemic, two local teenagers decided it was time to help out.
"Our parents were pushing us to do something instead of just playing Xbox,” Santa Barbara High School junior Andrew Douglas said.
Douglas and his friend, Noach Wood, founded Teen Glean, a volunteer service that collects excess fruit from trees.
"We found that this was just a much better way to approach it,” Wood said. “We like it, it's fun."
Gleaning is the term for getting all the fruit off a tree, oftentimes done by professionals.
Now, these teens spend their days picking what’s left off of local trees. After collecting, the community service program donates the produce to the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County and other food distribution services.
Homeowners with backyard trees were happy to get them gleaned while also supporting those less fortunate.
"They're always very grateful because most of their fruit just drops and rots,” Douglas said.
On Friday afternoon, Santa Barbara resident Joanne Cloutier had an orange tree in her backyard gleaned by the teens.
"It is actually really great to know that we’re taking what would probably go to waste, quite honestly,” Cloutier said. “Great that we’re giving it to those that need it."
"We've delivered about 80 crates of oranges and 20 crates of tangerines, lemons and grapefruits,” Douglas said.
With hard work and constant commitment, the team is determined to keep providing for those in need.
"It just feels really good after you help,” volunteer Henry Jessup said. "After you give it all to the Foodbank, I think it's a great feeling."
"It just makes me feel good and I hope that it helps the community out as much as it can,” Douglas said.
Santa Barbara area residents can call or text the Teen Glean team at 805-455-8987 and set up a time for their service.
They come equipped with a truck, ladders and other necessary tools to complete the job.
