ZEBULON - Grow and Share, an organization established two years ago to encourage Americans to learn how to produce their own food and give from thei rbounty to others, is growing like kudzu.

And that's just the way its founders, Kay and Frank Whatley, like it. After all, the more partners the organization has, the bigger impact those involved can make on hunger.

The concept, which started out as a plant and seed giveaway involving about 100 people, now involves about 2,000 backyard farmers, Kay Whatley said. Most are in Eastern Wake County, but some are in other parts of the United States.

Whatley said when gardener partners pick up seeds or seedlings, she gives them a list of soup kitchens and food pantries they can donate to.

"Gardeners can go to whatever is closest to their neighborhood," whether that's a soup kitchen in Cary or Clayton or a food pantry in Franklin County, or their local church, she said. "We try to keep the food as local as possible."

Roll up your shirtsleeves

Whatley said she and her husband were inspired to start the non-profit after hearing a speech by now-President Barack Obama, who encouraged Americans to roll up their shirtsleeves and get to work for the country.

This was near the end of 2008, "when things got so rough for everyone economically," Whatley said. She and Frank kept hearing news reports about people having to choose between buying food and paying bills.

Grow and Share was created with the thought that if people grew their own food, they could use their money for other necessities.

"Our goal was to get as many U.S. residents interested in gardening and growing food for other families . . . sharing with neighbors or the food bank," she said.

The non-profit was incorporated in 2009, and that year, it received pledges from 100 gardeners to grow their own food and share the surplus with others.

In 2010, Grow and Share received pledges from 1,100 gardeners.

That number is now about 2,000, and the organization is now giving away about 14,000 garden plants a year.

People in Zebulon and nearby communities have been eager to help.

Funding comes from churches and businesses; gardeners drop off and recycle pots several times a year, master gardeners trained in the N.C. State cooperative extension program educate would-be gardeners, and the Inter-FaithFood Shuttle partners with Grow and Share in several ways.

Volunteers branch out

Closer to home, a local family donated a greenhouse to nurture and protect seedlings in preparation for giveaways, and a Boy Scout built enough shelving to support 8,000 plants.

Farmers heard about the project and donated tables to place inside the greenhouse.

Others give of their time during the summer to care for the plants, Whatley said.

Last year, the town of Rolesville hosted a music festival at Main Street Park to support Grow and Share, and while the event is on hold this year, it will resume in 2012.

Grow and Share's eight-member volunteer board of directors does more than just give away plants and directions for growing them, however.

They have helped oversee or establish a number of community and school-based gardens.

Last year, they assisted with a garden at Long Mill Elementary School in Youngsville.

Grow and Share also established a garden at a school in Durham where students grow produce from different regions throughout the world.

Teachers at schools with gardens get creative, incorporating the gardens into their math and science lessons, Whatley said.

Grow and Share volunteers are always in the middle of one project or another, and folks at the organization's greenhouse are currently gearing up for the fall planting season, Whatley said.

Volunteers do everything from helping with the plants, to telling others about the organization, to coordinating food give-a-ways.

To help, to start a garden, or to find out more, log on to www.growandshare.org.