Local florists collecting food during ‘Caring Rose Week'

Two Aurora florists are collecting food donations next week as part of a national effort to help families in need.
As reported in last week’s ANR, the Hamilton County Food Pantry had mostly bare shelves as of a week ago, though a large donation from the Messiah Lutheran Church was the first of many expected from local organizations in the coming weeks. It’s a busy time of year with cold weather and the holidays pending, thus the need for food supplies is perceived to be growing.
“We’ve been doing this for nine years,” said Robin Sanderson, owner of the Homestead Market & Floral, in reference to the annual Caring Rose Week campaign. “I love giving back.”
This will be Honeysuckle Lane’s first year participating in the program, according to owner Angie Wall, who also organized an expanded local effort by sending letters out through local churches. 
“The need in our community is greater than ever and your support is crucial,” Wall said.

To make donating simple as part of her extended effort beyond Caring Rose Week, Wall created a form that allows participants to order items directly from the Aurora Mall. Forms are available at the Honeysuckle Lane. (Note: a PDF of the form is attached to this article on ANR’s website for reference and printing). Cases of food items, including peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, cereal, apple juice and a list of other commonly used items, have been made available by the Aurora Mall at discounted prices as part of this effort. 
“Your donation, no matter the size, will make a direct impact,” Wall said. “Please drop all forms and payment at Honeysuckle Lane so we can compile them and turn them over to Aurora Mall to fill.”
Wall noted that checks should be made out to the Aurora Mall.

Caring Rose Week

Florists across the central United States are expecting to gather more than 20 tons of food for those in need Nov. 10-15. Dubbed “Caring Rose Week,” the stores are discounting bouquets of one dozen roses and accepting canned goods as partial payment.
Anyone dropping their food or cash donation at Homestead Market & Floral or Honeysuckle Lane during the week will be given the opportunity to purchase a dozen roses for an additional $10. 
“We’re not making any money off of this promotion as our mission to help support the food pantry because their supplies are so low,” Wall explained. 
Sanderson said the support for this campaign has been strong in the past, noting that it’s important for everyone involved.
“We’re all in this together, so if you don’t support local then we could very easily not have downtown stores,” she said. “That hometown pride is just so important.”

Sanderson also mentioned that roses at Homestead Market & Floral are available to be delivered or made into a vase arrangement, for delivery also.

"The more people we reach, the better," she added. "This is not a money-making mission. It is totally about community support and working together. I'm glad to be a part of something bigger than myself."

Now in its 27th year, Caring Rose Week has distributed more than one-half million pounds of food since its inception. The concept was the brainchild of Harry Whelden, general manager of North American Wholesale Florists in Sioux Falls, S.D.
“Over 200 flower shops across the Great Plains are taking the time and energy to help meet this need and I’m truly grateful,” Whelden said in a press release. “While many are buying toys and other Christmas gifts, many across America are without food.”
“National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness, which takes place each year one week before Thanksgiving.

Download a PDF of the Aurora Mall shopping form here