Friday, Jun. 25 2010 10:26AM
Giving Garden
Julie Scheidegger, the Journal staff
Julie Scheidegger, the Journal
Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals members, from left, Brett Deuth, Brock McClain and Andrew Freeman prepare the ground for the six-foot by 18-foot raised garden the group created at the Hillcrest Transitional Housing Lee's Summit location. The garden project was chosen as one of the groups quarterly service projects.
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closeBy Julie Scheidegger The Journal Staff
Between two buildings at the Hillcrest Transitional Housing of Eastern Jackson County Lee’s Summit location, 14 volunteers from the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, shoveled up sod and began work on a six-foot by 18-foot raised garden bed.
The new garden will provide some fresh produce for residents along with fresh flowers and the opportunity to learn how to manage a garden.
“It’s very consistent with our practices of teaching people skills to be self sufficient,” Cotton Sivils, director of Hillcrest Transitional Housing, said.
Christy Wright, of the YPs, said Hillcrest and the group’s shared mission of service made them perfect to partner with for the group’s quarterly service project.
“Everybody just really feels that Hillcrest lifts up the people of the community. That’s what we’re all about,” Wright said of the YPs. “We’re looking for a way to give back to the community.”
The garden will be just outside the building that houses the program’s small food pantry.
“We’ve got 13 families here and we’re their grocery store,” Sivils said.
The usual donations he receives of corn, peas, green beans and macaroni and cheese are appreciated, but Sivils jokes that they have a lifetime supply.
“We always need perishable items, fresh meat,” he said.
The produce residents harvest from the garden will help.
The 90-day Christian-based program works to move families from homelessness to self-sufficiency through life-skills, employment, community living and budgeting education. The volunteer-taught classes aimed at self-sufficiency range from how to cut up a chicken, to now, gardening.
“We’re just impressed with the way this program helps families,” Wright said.
To donate or volunteer at the Lee’s Summit housing site or for more information, call 816-600-2681 or visit www.hillcresttransitionalhousing.org.
To reach Journal reporter Julie Scheidegger, call 816-282-7016, or e-mail jscheidegger@lsjournal.com
