Community Garden Helps to Fight Food Insecurity

As spring rolls in, many Salvation Army locations across Canada offer community garden programs. This initiative allows gardening enthusiasts to borrow a plot, grow their own vegetables and help to fight food insecurity.

In Oshawa, Ont., The Salvation Army provides garden space. Although participants are free to plant for personal use, a few members of a local garden club dedicate their efforts to fighting food insecurity by donating their vegetables to The Salvation Army food bank. This is their second year taking responsibility for plots at The Salvation Army. Garden club participant, Chris Merlin, explains why they choose to help.

“There is just such a need, and everybody has to eat,” she says.

Previously, the garden club would plant at a different location. However, due to the increased need for food, they noticed some of their crops were being stolen. Last year, they found a perfect new home at their local Salvation Army.

“My daughter found this garden plot at The Salvation Army, which happens to be around the corner from my house,” Chris shares. “It’s amazing because it is fenced in and they have raised garden beds, which is wonderful for seniors or people with disabilities. They can plant without having to get down on their hands and knees.”

Community garden participants work to fight food insecurity

Last year, the club donated over 600 pounds of vegetables to the food bank.

“There is just such a need, and everybody has to eat.”

“It makes us very happy. It’s not just putting any food on the table, it’s nutritious food. Let’s be honest, anything you can buy for under $1 is probably Kraft dinner. At least this way they can supplement those kinds of meals with a salad or vegetables,” Chris says.

Aside from helping people, Chris says that being part of the community garden also allows everyone to build connections among the diverse group of participants that range from young adults to seniors.

“We’re working together as a group and there is a real reward at the end of it. We get the reward of friendship.”

Contributing to the food bank requires a team effort. The garden club’s volunteers dedicate Tuesdays and Fridays every week to planting and weeding. In addition, Chris helps maintain the plots at the community garden on the days in between.

“Our goal is to donate over 1,000 pounds to the food bank.”

This year, the garden club hopes to increase the number of vegetables donated to The Salvation Army to ensure they can help more people.

“Our goal is to donate over 1,000 pounds to the food bank,” Chris adds.

By Juan Romero