Ocean Shores Food Bank planning plant sale fundraiser on May 1

The second annual Ocean Shores Food Bank Plant Sale is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 1, at Ocean Sunset Drug.

Every spring from 2016 to 2019, the Ocean Shores Food Bank held a gala, which was the major fundraiser for the year.

“It was a night out of food, friendly bidding for small to big items, prizes and dancing,” said volunteer Judy Mitchell. “Our community and the surrounding area looked forward to the event. Food bank volunteers put countless hours into the planning, organizing and production of the gala. We were heading into the final leg of the planning for the 2020 event when COVID became a the new topic of conversation and eventually a national threat. We knew that we would be unable to follow through with the gala.

“A small group of tenacious volunteers came up with the idea of an outdoor plant sale, which would be a platform for selling some of the auction items already collected and all the plants prepared for the gala. As it turns out the plant sale was more successful than anticipated and we are now completing the planning and preparation for our second annual plant sale.”

The event will be held outside the drug store — located at 121 E. Chance a La Mer — and will include plant starts, hanging baskets and Master Gardeners on hand to provide gardening advice.