Keystone staff members installed the first several raised garden beds Saturday, March 21 at Zwingli UCC
The Keystone Opportunity Center is expanding its mission to alleviate hunger in the community with the launching of its Community Garden in partnership with Zwingli United Church of Christ.
Keystone staff members installed the first several raised garden beds Saturday, March 21 at Zwingli UCC. The initiative is designed to support Keystone’s food pantry while helping families grow fresh produce to promote self-sufficiency, a core component of the Souderton-based social service agency’s mission.
“This garden represents a shift from simply providing food to helping people produce their own,” said Andrew Berg, assistant pantry manager at Keystone. “We want to give people the skills to grow their own food and move toward lasting self-sufficiency.”
The beds are sponsored by local businesses, organizations and community members. Eight beds have already been purchased, said Keystone.
“We’ve had very good turnout and very high interest,” said Berg. “And there is absolutely a hope and desire to increase that.”
The site will also host “Seed to Supper,” a free six-week Penn State extension program that empowers low-income individuals to grow a portion of their own food on a limited budget. Topics will include soil health, planting and harvesting.
“It’s a starter club kind of thing,” said Berg. “And it’s targeted towards those in need and those that are through our pantry at the moment.”
Beginning April 15, the program will be held on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. at Swingli UCC. The registration deadline is April 1.
Keystone notes that community support is “essential” to the garden’s success. The organization is currently seeking additional sponsors to help cover the costs of materials as well as volunteers to assist with planting, maintenance and harvest activities.
But with the first raised beds installed, Berg expressed optimism about the garden’s promise, cultivating knowledge, wellness and social connection in tandem with food production.
“It brings people together and promotes self-sustainability,” said Berg. “And you get some good vegetables out of it.”
To sponsor a garden bed, volunteer or learn more about supporting the Community Garden, contact Kristine Evina at [email protected] or 267-810-2424. For more information, visit keystoneopportunity.org.
This article appears courtesy of a content share agreement between North Penn Now and The Reporter. To read more stories like this, visit https://www.thereporteronline.com
