Habitat for Humanity establishes community garden
By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Good things are growing at Habit for Humanity Chatham-Kent.
That’s because a large vegetable garden has been planted on the west side of the Chatham property, with its produce destined for FreeHelpCK.
“Our new ReStore is located on agricultural land,” said Anne Taylor, director of partnerships and stakeholder relations for the non-profit. “We thought we’d turn that land back into what it was made for. Why have grass when you can grow food?”
Made possible by a $2,500 grant from the Chatham-Kent Community Foundation, the garden is a true hometown effort. Alex Wingrove of Country Market Garden also pitched in with planning and helping get it organized, she said.
“Alex’s help was truly amazing,” Taylor added. “Even with his plate full, he had no hesitation in helping us.”
Volunteers with Chatham Horticultural Society and Habitat got their hands dirty as well, putting seedlings in the ground.
“Chatham-Kent is experiencing a lot of need right now,” Taylor said. “This is a way we can help and pay it forward. The community has always been so good to us.”
While the new garden marks Habitat’s first foray into growing vegetables, it isn’t the first for FreeHelpCK. According to founder Geri Hughson, the charity has benefitted from a large volunteer-driven garden on Given Road for the past four years. The space is provided by Mojo Drywall.
“The property has been given to us to use,” Hughson said, with the harvest going to tiny free food pantries located throughout Chatham-Kent. Some of the food is also preserved to be used for soups for senior meal programs in winter and the rest is donated to the Outreach for Hunger foodbank.
Anyone interested in finding out more or donating can email info@habitatchatham-kent.ca.
