Biblical Foundation
The practice of gleaning is thousands of years old; it is mentioned several times in the Bible. Leviticus 23:22 states,
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.Deuteronomy 24:19 is very similar;
When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.
We see gleaning as an early poverty relief program. From the Book of Ruth 2:2-3;
And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
Gleaning is a basis for Paul's seemingly harsh injunction in 2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Practicing Charity
Gleaning, from the story of Ruth puts people of all ages into local fields and orchards to pick fruits and vegetables that remain after the harvest. Then, gleaners distribute this produce to those in need.
Gleaners are people of all ages, rich and poor, givers and receivers, young and old, who have a chance to give of themselves. Organizations that glean include churches, clubs, businesses, schools, senior citizen groups, etc. The whole community can corporately join together and really make a difference by helping hungry people in the greater Washington DC area and beyond.
Gleaned food gets to people who need it. Gleaners pick for others and for themselves. Produce is sent to agencies who work with the hungry. In some communities, produce is delivered to food banks hat distribute food through a network of agencies. Groups that glean may select the organizations to receive gleaned produce.