Slice of Yakima -- Props for Katie's Krops

Katie Stagliano wasn't in her seventh-grade classroom in Summerville, S.C., outside Charleston on Thursday. Instead, the 13-year-old was in Yakima to accept about $20,000 from Yakima-based First Fruits Marketing of Washington, a subsidiary of Broetje Orchards of Prescott.

The donation, based on sales of the Opal variety apple for which Broetje has exclusive marketing rights, will help her start student gardens to grow food for needy families. The nonprofit organization Katie launched with the help of family, friends, teachers and volunteers -- Katie's Krops -- has created 22 student gardens across the country in four years.

It all began with a 40-pound cabbage she grew as a third-grader and donated to a local soup kitchen. Her work to reduce hunger has drawn considerable attention, and she's even been featured on the Disney Channel.

"I think of the people who helped me along the way and I know I couldn't have done it without the support of my family and friends," she said during her visit to the First Fruits office on South 40th Avenue.

Keith Mathews, president and CEO of First Fruits, said the Broetje family decided Katie's project was one that deserved their support.

Successful grant applicants to Katie's Krops will receive up to a $400 gift card to purchase supplies from a local garden store and will receive other assistance from the organization. Applicants must be ages 9 to 16. For more information, visit www.katieskrops.com.

-- David Lester