Barbara Barat is a wonderfully dedicated and generous volunteer, who spends her time giving back to the Food Bank Learning Garden every chance she gets. Originally from Long Island, NY, Barbara began her interest in gardening when she learned about growing plants in her junior high school science class. Seeing the process of growth inspired a love of gardening that would lead to a bedroom full of houseplants and a flourishing flower garden.
While Barbara is passionate about gardening, she is also passionate about her community. After retiring from a career as a 401k administrator, Barbara sought to find ways to give back and spend her time doing something important. It was then that she found the Food Bank Garden – which at that time was run by the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC. She spent much of her time helping to shape the garden into what it is today, even through many changes and challenges. Currently, Barbara leads multiple weekly shifts, teaching new volunteers the ropes and further inspiring others along the way. She hopes that future changes can bring more growth to the space, and perhaps more raised beds in the front garden.
When she’s not working hard in the dirt, Barbara loves spending time with her people – riding bikes with her husband and getting together to socialize and play games with friends. Raising her son has been one of the most fulfilling things in her life – she says that he is a homeowner, a hard worker and a contributing member of society, and she is very proud of him. When asked for a piece of advice that she likes to live by, her answer was simple but effective: be kind.
Barbara’s dedication and passion for the Food Bank Garden is something that we could not begin to thank her for. Without her help, the garden would undoubtedly not be where it is today. Her work helps to feed her neighbors and communities – something that she should be very proud of. If you’d like to learn more about gardening, take some time to visit Barbara this summer at the Food Bank Garden. You certainly won’t regret getting to meet her!