Rotary Field of Greens on the Move!
Rotary Field of Greens on the Move!
In 2009, the Port Arthur Rotary Club sponsored the Field of Greens Community Garden at the Salvation Army Community & Residential Services property on Cumberland Street in Thunder Bay. For eight seasons, the large community garden consisting of about 20 fruit trees, a 'main' section and smaller individual boxes has provided fresh fruits and vegetables to the Salvation Army food bank and to their kitchen.
According to Port Arthur
In 2009, the Port Arthur Rotary Club sponsored the Field of Greens Community Garden at the Salvation Army Community & Residential Services property on Cumberland Street in Thunder Bay. For eight seasons, the large community garden consisting of about 20 fruit trees, a 'main' section and smaller individual boxes has provided fresh fruits and vegetables to the Salvation Army food bank and to their kitchen.
According to Port Arthur
Rotary Field of Greens on the Move!
Rotary Field of Greens on the Move!
In 2009, the Port Arthur Rotary Club sponsored the Field of Greens Community Garden at the Salvation Army Community & Residential Services property on Cumberland Street in Thunder Bay. For eight seasons, the large community garden consisting of about 20 fruit trees, a 'main' section and smaller individual boxes has provided fresh fruits and vegetables to the Salvation Army food bank and to their kitchen.
According to Port Arthur Rotary Club President Warren Philp, “Given the general upswell and interest in community vegetable gardening in Thunder Bay and internationally, Port Arthur Rotary Club felt that it would be a good fit to partner with The Salvation Army Thunder Bay given the historic relationship with the organization.” Philp continued, “there have been many benefits in the project. The vegetable garden has supplied a large percentage of fresh vegetables for the residents’ immediate use given there is a full service kitchen on site, not to mention, a Food Bank.“
In 2009, the Port Arthur Rotary Club sponsored the Field of Greens Community Garden at the Salvation Army Community & Residential Services property on Cumberland Street in Thunder Bay. For eight seasons, the large community garden consisting of about 20 fruit trees, a 'main' section and smaller individual boxes has provided fresh fruits and vegetables to the Salvation Army food bank and to their kitchen.
According to Port Arthur Rotary Club President Warren Philp, “Given the general upswell and interest in community vegetable gardening in Thunder Bay and internationally, Port Arthur Rotary Club felt that it would be a good fit to partner with The Salvation Army Thunder Bay given the historic relationship with the organization.” Philp continued, “there have been many benefits in the project. The vegetable garden has supplied a large percentage of fresh vegetables for the residents’ immediate use given there is a full service kitchen on site, not to mention, a Food Bank.“
The Field of Greens met one of Port Arthur Rotary’s community-focussed goals namely to address the needs of the poor, hungry and homeless in Thunder Bay. Produce has also been used for the nightly mobile feeding program carried out by Salvation Army staff utilizing the Soup Van. As the garden developed, the residents and staff of the Salvation Army took over ongoing care and nurturing of the garden.
Because of the planned construction of the new Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre and the site preparation that is necessary beforehand, it was necessary to forego the garden this year. The Centre will replace the current aging structure and is scheduled to be completed in 2020. The Salvation Army is grateful for the community support they have received in ensuring that they still have fresh produce during the construction. Also, in an effort to preserve the fruit trees that were part of the garden, volunteers from the Port Arthur Rotary Club have recently worked with the Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA) to transplant twenty of the fruit trees to land that hosts several food security projects. The twenty trees now effectively adds an apple orchard to the RDFA projects on the go at Tapiola Park on the outskirts of the city of Thunder Bay.
Because of the planned construction of the new Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre and the site preparation that is necessary beforehand, it was necessary to forego the garden this year. The Centre will replace the current aging structure and is scheduled to be completed in 2020. The Salvation Army is grateful for the community support they have received in ensuring that they still have fresh produce during the construction. Also, in an effort to preserve the fruit trees that were part of the garden, volunteers from the Port Arthur Rotary Club have recently worked with the Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA) to transplant twenty of the fruit trees to land that hosts several food security projects. The twenty trees now effectively adds an apple orchard to the RDFA projects on the go at Tapiola Park on the outskirts of the city of Thunder Bay.
"This project has provided an opportunity for our residents to contribute to their own care. They have an opportunity to exercise and have social times growing fresh produce while at the same time, helping to reduce operating costs. The Salvation Army is grateful to the Port Arthur Rotary Club for having made this possible," said Major Lori Mitchell, Executive Director, The Salvation Army Thunder Bay Community & Residential Services. “Going forward, we are looking forward to working with Port Arthur Rotary to establish a new community garden on the grounds of the new Journey To Life Centre scheduled to be completed in 2020.“
Port Arthur Rotary welcomes any individuals, business or community minded not-for-profit organization to share in the development of the next phase of the project; examples: earthboxes, gardening expertise, seeds, labour or services.
For more information, please go to www.parotary.com or www.facebook.com/parotary or contact Port Arthur Rotary Field of Dreams Committee Co-Chairs Chairs Warren Philp (cell:632-3998; wphilp@tbaytel.net), and David Legge (cell 624-6474; dlegge@tbaytel.net). The Salvation Army Executive Director is Major Lori Mitchell. (345-7319-w 627-9999 Cell; lori_mitchell@can.salvationarmy.org)
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Rotary is the world's largest and oldest humanitarian service network. There are four local clubs in the Thunder Bay and Nipigon area with membership that includes and welcomes individuals who are interested in serving their community and making a difference in our world. Our clubs work to serve and financially support local and international initiatives with a primary focus on health, water and sanitation, literacy and education, community development and peace. Port Arthur Rotary was established in 1924.