Filling Home starts community garden
The Filling Homes recently received a $5,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation to start a 20-plot community garden. There are still plots available for community members who are interested in growing fresh vegetables or produce. (Photo by JEN LAZENBY)
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By JEN LAZENBY
NWS Staff Writer
NWS Staff Writer
Published:
With the help of a $5,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation, the Filling Homes is starting a community garden project aimed at increasing the availability of fresh produce in the area.
Melissa Beman, QMRP at the Filling Memorial Home of Mercy, is spearheading the project and explained the goal is to help provide fresh vegetables and fruits for low-income families.
“I wanted to do something for the staff and community ... to teach people the skills they need to garden,” Beman said, adding many people believe, since this is a rural area, everyone has the space and knowledge to garden. “It’s not necessarily true.”
The garden will start with 20 plots which were first opened to staff at the Filling Home, and there are seven plots still available for interested community members. There is no cost to participate as the plots, seeds, water and equipment will be provided.
Melissa Beman, QMRP at the Filling Memorial Home of Mercy, is spearheading the project and explained the goal is to help provide fresh vegetables and fruits for low-income families.
“I wanted to do something for the staff and community ... to teach people the skills they need to garden,” Beman said, adding many people believe, since this is a rural area, everyone has the space and knowledge to garden. “It’s not necessarily true.”
The garden will start with 20 plots which were first opened to staff at the Filling Home, and there are seven plots still available for interested community members. There is no cost to participate as the plots, seeds, water and equipment will be provided.
“An interest in gardening is the only requirement,” Beman said, adding the Henry County Master Gardeners are assisting in the effort by helping participants plant their gardens and sharing their knowledge of gardening.
However, those who participate must be willing to commit their time to maintain their plot and donate any excess produce which is generated by their garden to the Broken Bread Food Pantry in Napoleon every Thursday so it can be distributed to families in need.
The grant application to the Walmart Foundation also referenced rising childhood obesity rates and hunger which could be reduced by the high cost of fresh produce in the area. Furthermore, Beman added it is hoped the gardens will be a family activity and children may be more willing to eat fruits and vegetables if they are involved in the process.
“People are getting their families involved,” she said.
There will also be composting at the site, and plans include creating a path so the community and residents of the Filling Home will be able to admire the garden.
Kat Cordes, assistant manager at the Walmart in Napoleon, added she believes this is the first grant which is aimed at a community project such as this.
“(Store Manager) William Graham is very committed to giving back to the community,” Cordes said. “He saw this as a great opportunity.”
Cordes added Walmart has submitted an application for a plot and plans on donating all of its produce to the food pantry.
The goal is to continue the garden every year and have it be as self-sustaining as possible.
“If we have a lot of success, we may expand next year,” Beman said.
The plots are located in the back of the group home next to the playground at the Filling Memorial Home of Mercy, which is located on State Route 108 south of Napoleon. Anyone interested in submitting an application for a plot can contact Beman at 419-592-6451 ext. 1283 or mbeman@fillinghome.org.
E-mail comments to jenl@northwestsignal.net.
However, those who participate must be willing to commit their time to maintain their plot and donate any excess produce which is generated by their garden to the Broken Bread Food Pantry in Napoleon every Thursday so it can be distributed to families in need.
The grant application to the Walmart Foundation also referenced rising childhood obesity rates and hunger which could be reduced by the high cost of fresh produce in the area. Furthermore, Beman added it is hoped the gardens will be a family activity and children may be more willing to eat fruits and vegetables if they are involved in the process.
“People are getting their families involved,” she said.
There will also be composting at the site, and plans include creating a path so the community and residents of the Filling Home will be able to admire the garden.
Kat Cordes, assistant manager at the Walmart in Napoleon, added she believes this is the first grant which is aimed at a community project such as this.
“(Store Manager) William Graham is very committed to giving back to the community,” Cordes said. “He saw this as a great opportunity.”
Cordes added Walmart has submitted an application for a plot and plans on donating all of its produce to the food pantry.
The goal is to continue the garden every year and have it be as self-sustaining as possible.
“If we have a lot of success, we may expand next year,” Beman said.
The plots are located in the back of the group home next to the playground at the Filling Memorial Home of Mercy, which is located on State Route 108 south of Napoleon. Anyone interested in submitting an application for a plot can contact Beman at 419-592-6451 ext. 1283 or mbeman@fillinghome.org.
E-mail comments to jenl@northwestsignal.net.
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