The St. Albans Elks Lodge #1566 will partner with Northwestern Medical Center (NMC) and Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) and our local food shelf, to expand affordable access to fresh, healthy and locally grown produce. Citizens of all ages and economic circumstances will experience the benefits of community, while becoming healthier through improved diets, exercise, education and positive social interactions. This garden will have exposure through the Hospital’s community newsletter Insight, which is distributed 6 times annually and The Headliner, a monthly publication of hospital staff and volunteers. This project will also be promoted through coverage in local media outlets and recognition on the Gardening Shed, located at the garden site.
This project will establish 14 new raised beds for hospital patients, visitors, community members and local citizens who benefit from the food shelf. Specific efforts will be made to include Hawk’s Nest, a residential retirement community of 100 senor residents, adjacent to the garden. Additionally, Northwestern Counseling and Support Services utilize the Garden for client support groups and programming to encourage wellness and community. As described above, our lodge will have coverage in local media outlets, Northwestern Medical Center publications as well as publications from our local food shelf. This will be collaborative effort by all parties and we are looking forward to working with these agencies to provide a much needed resource in our community.
Thanks go to St. Albans Elks National Foundation Chairperson, Kimberly Bourbeau for her efforts in obtaining this grant.