 G.I.V.E.: Gardens Inspiring Volunteerism and Education A G.I.V.E. Garden supplements a family or individual's diet with fresh vegetables and herbs, encourages fresh air and gardening exercise, and as a garden recipients say, " ...a reason to get up in the morning, to water the garden, to take care of my garden and see the bees buzzing, so happy. It make me feel good to be alive." "I used to get up and put the TV on. Now I get up and go out to my garden. I talk to my neighbors and share some of my greens with them. Now they want a garden too." "The kids help out and they are learning to be outside too, instead of sitting in front of the TV. They like to eat what they help to grow." a food desert wanted us to teach them to make a food garden. Mom had a new baby on the way, Dad was working long hours in a retail store, and 4-year- old daughter was very excited to grow vegetables to eat! Their learning time was limited, and instead of teaching with just words and diagrams, we decided the best way to learn was by practice. With a handful of volunteers and donated materials, the first GIVE garden was planted, with lots of hands-on learning for the recipient family. Since the first garden, we have planted many more, teaching recipients who then inspire others and teach their neighbors to make their own gardens, often without our help. Hundreds of volunteer hours have been donated, from Master Gardeners to people with no experience at all. We are very proud of this program, and hope to expand it with funding. If you can make a donation or alert us to a funding opportunity, please do so! |
G.I.V.E. gardens |
We are working on getting funding for this program so we can expand it! Exciting developments in the works!