When Chip Paillex 's garden amassed excess produce in 2002 , he donated the extras . Paillex said recipients also return to volunteer with the group . He soon began a nonprofit , harvesting crops for the Garden State 's less fortunate . By 2007 , he left his corporate job to dedicate himself full time to America 's Grow-a-Row . The organization has grown from its humble beginnings into one of America's largest and most successful food banks, with more than 1 million pounds delivered every year.
When Chip Paillex 's garden amassed excess produce in 2002 , he donated the extras . He soon began a nonprofit , harvesting crops for the Garden State 's less fortunate . By 2007 , he left his corporate job to dedicate himself full time to America 's Grow-a-Row . The organization has grown from its humble beginnings into one of America's largest and most successful food banks, with more than 1 million pounds delivered every year.