Yamming it up for Samaritan Center

In search of food to feed the hungry, volunteers looked for dusty orange bulbs as tiny spiders scrambled behind roots in recently disturbed rows of soft soil.

Lincoln University donated 3,500 sweet potatoes to the Samaritan Center on Tuesday. For several years, the agriculture department has handed off their excess produce after gleaning the ones they need for testing.

Bill Surface tosses sweet potatoes into a large container as he and several volunteers pick up the tubers at the George Washington Carver Farm. Surface, a relatively new volunteer at the Samaritan Center, was one of many who helped picked up the vegetable Tuesday morning for distribution at the center. (Julie Smith/News Tribune photo)

“It's great for the Samaritan Center. They have a need and we're just happy to help them. It's win-win,” said Phillip Markway, research technician at the university.

The Samaritan Center is particularly thankful for LU's donations this time because their pantry is running desperately low and is expected to run out before November. A press release sent out Sunday stated the situation is dire.

“We're very thankful to them for allowing us to do this,” said Charlie Bernskoetter, Samaritan Center volunteer.

Bernskoetter hopes the donation of sweet potatoes will last at least until the Thanksgiving holiday - enough time for people to enjoy the traditional candied yams, sweet potato pie and other baked goodies with their families.

While they may not seem glamorous, sweet potatoes are particularly healthful foods - one of the reasons LU grows them in their research.

Rufus Jones, professor of agriculture and research investigator at LU, is in charge of the project to find ways to make them even healthier by boosting their beta carotene content.

University researchers test the type of soil, fertilizers, irrigation and even the variety of sweet potatoes, from those with a deep red hue to the pale orange. Over the years, they also study how the produce reacts to the environment during cool, hot, wet or dry summers.

“It's a long-term study,” Markway said.

While the Samaritan Center is glad to take advantage of the university's research, donations from the community are still needed. Canned vegetables, fruit, soup and other meals are especially requested.

The Samaritan Center provides food for an estimated 1,100 people each month.

Through Oct. 16, Hy-Vee on W. Truman Boulevard will be collecting food at their store during a drive named “Pack the Sack.” People can also call the Samaritan Center or to find out more at (573) 634-7776.

These sweet potatoes and more than 3,000 more are bound for the Samaritan Center from Lincoln's George Washington Carver Farm. (Julie Smith/News Tribune photo)