Red Wiggler Community Farm
Red Wiggler Community Farm (redwiggler.org) is a certified organic farm where people with and without developmental disabilities come together to work, learn and grow healthy food. The farm distributes half of its harvests to a variety of partner organizations serving neighbors in need, while the other half is sold through the Community Supported Agriculture program. In this way, growers with developmental disabilities have a chance to help others while earning a paycheck.
Headquartered: Germantown
Serves: Montgomery County
What a donation buys:
• $250 provides five deliveries of fresh vegetables to area group homes for adults with disabilities.
• $1,000 provides ergonomic hand tools for growers and volunteers.
• $10,000 replaces the farm’s 15-year-old golf cart.
Volunteer opportunities:
• One day or weekly: Participate in on-farm education and volunteer opportunities.
• SSL
• Internships
Sunflower Bakery
Sunflower Bakery (sunflowerbakery.org) prepares young adults with learning differences for employment through its pastry arts and hospitality employment training programs. The Pastry Arts Training Program includes 26 weeks of professional instruction, skills training and job search assistance, and now serves 20 to 24 students annually. The Hospitality Employment Training Program offers expanded front- and back-of-house training as well as customer service at Sunflower Bakeshop and serves 10 to 12 students annually. Sunflower Bakery also offers one-week job exposure sessions for teens.
Headquartered: Rockville
Serves: Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and Washington, D.C.
What a donation buys:
• $350 provides a tool kit for one student to practice skills.
• $1,000 buys instructional ingredients/supplies for one pastry arts student.
• $10,000 underwrites a scholarship for one low-income pastry arts student.
Volunteer opportunities:
• None at this time.