Community gardens
satisfy more than physical hunger: they satiate a hunger for human
contact, fulfilling work, and beauty. When people work together
to maintain the gardens, distribute vegetables, and hold harvest
parties, the gardens act as a supporting trellis for community
service and intergenerational fun.
We
began establishing community gardens when we realized that many
of our elderly and disabled family gardeners would need help maintaining
their gardens long after our two year tenure with them ended.
It seemed a logical step to put larger gardens in neighborhoods
and community centers where young people could help tend the gardens
while the elderly and disabled residents could enjoy the benefits
of eating fresh food.
We later expanded
on this idea when we established our Educational
Showcase Garden. Used primarily as a training center for garden
practices, our beautiful garden at Lichgate is also the setting
for Damayan's gardening activities for children and adults. In
addition, our produce has been donated to local charities including
Planet Gumbo and St. Francis Wildlife. This garden is maintained
by our community of volunteers, who enjoy a garden lunch in exchange
for their hard work on Tuesday mornings.
In the past
we have sponsored community gardens at Ebony Gardens, Thomasville
Community Resource Center (TCRC) and Grady Road. With the closure
of Ebony Gardens and the construction of tennis courts at Grady
Road, only the TCRC garden remains today. However, we are currently
working with local communities to expand on this part of our mission.
To apply for
help with a community garden project, click here.
