This grant would support our existing programs while helping us improve and develop them further. Specifically, it would help develop our food choice pantry running in combination with training and community-building activities. In partnership with Esperanza Health Center, we began Hub for Health, a community resource fair, and in March 2024 we hosted a new Baby Goods Exchange event that will happen quarterly, redistributing quality used baby and children’s goods to our neighbors.
With the community center opening at the end of our block, we hope to continue and grow some of our celebrations and events using the larger classrooms and event space while we share our park and garden space for their patients and staff to enjoy. Over the past four years, we have redeveloped our gardens, repairing and establishing garden beds for growing fresh produce for our pantry. We have primarily used volunteer support for the garden, which we will continue to do. Still, with additional resources, we could develop job opportunities to help support our work. We plan to participate in a garden coalition for training and ongoing community support. We must trim trees, clean out a lot, and build additional garden beds to have our gardens working at full capacity. We anticipate doing some of that with this grant money and coalition support over the next year.