It's harvest time again in Langley. Apples and pears are ripening on trees around the community.

Unfortunately, many of them would go to waste, were it not for the aid of volunteers and the Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS).

As per the "partners" in its name, LEPS is now taking the lead role when it comes to organizing the Langley Advance Community Harvest.

The program, now in its fourth year, is based on a simple idea.

Many Langley residents have fruit trees in their backyard. Often much, much more fruit than one family can hope to consume, or fruit that's difficult for residents to even pick.

By bringing together volunteers and tree owners, the fruit can be harvested and put to good use, with at least one third of everything picked going to the Langley Food Bank.

Rachel Strivelli of LEPS has taken on the task of organizing this year's harvest.

Last week, Strivelli took to the treetops, heading up a ladder to harvest apples and pears in Brookswood.

Strivelli was excited to undertake two picks in one day.

Meanwhile, volunteer pickers got a helping hand from local businessman Tony Malyk, who has donated three extendable metal poles, normally used for cleaning gutters. The poles have been fitted with fruit-picking prongs and baskets, which will allow volunteers to harvest hard-to-reach apples, sometimes without using ladders at all.

To donate fruit or to sign up as a volunteer, call Strivelli at 604-533-6090, ext. 1354. She will be working around Langley Wednesdays and Thursdays.