Dear Editor,

Many Kroger shoppers stopped to talk with us when we were asking for participants in the annual “Shop and Share” to benefit Greenhouse 17. Some of you gave an outright cash donation, some of you gave groceries right out of your cart and many of you shared your own story with us.

Thank you to each of you. Would you believe your donation was part of the $8,750 worth of groceries and monies we received that day at the Danville Kroger store?

Many of you also donated to the church food bank drive that was going on the same day. How kind and patient you were.

According to VISTA Development and Marketing Specialist Mary Trollinger, $175,000 in groceries and cash donations were collected in our service area and $585,000 collected statewide. What an impressive outpouring of love and generosity from our state, but especially you, our local community and our local Kroger store under the management of Lynn Faulkner. Assistant Manager Cassandra Gastineau was especially helpful to us that day. A heartfelt thank-you to both of them.

Greenhouse 17 is a shelter (greenhouse) and “17” represents the counties served by this shelter. It serves women and children who are the victims of intimate partner abuse. As a greenhouse nurtures seedlings, this shelter nurtures and protects vulnerable women and children. The Danville Tai Chi Circle, with instructor Deb Larkin, is happy to support the work of Greenhouse 17.

Once again, thank you for helping us help them.

Pat Wilson

The Danville Tai Chi Circle

Stanford